Should You Talk to Your Manager About Wanting a New Job?

It's easy to fall into the pattern of disparaging your company or role as a means of feeling better about that tugging in your heart for a change. You might think that what you joined must be declining, insufficient, or in some way less than it once was... or why would you want to leave it?

Whether it's a job move or a career transition, going from a fulfilling scenario to a different fulfilling scenario is entirely possible and common. Moving on doesn't mean leaving something bad; it might simply be time for a change.

As humans, we are lifelong learners seeking to experience, grow, improve, and have increasing influence as we know and do more. Sometimes things that used to be interesting and fun begin to feel boring or monotonous. Often, we dream about a bigger platform on which to use our well-honed skills. That doesn't mean we aren't happy where we are. It just means we are ready for something different.

Sometimes it's our personal circumstances or primary relationships in life that have changed, prompting us to alter our scenario or dimension of work.

The question of whether you should talk to your boss before resigning or quitting is a common one. While it may be intimidating to have this conversation, it's often a good idea to speak with your boss before making a final decision to leave. This can help to ensure that you leave on good terms and it may also provide an opportunity to discuss any potential opportunities for growth or advancement within your current organization. If you're scared to tell your boss that you quit, it may be helpful to consider the potential consequences of not having this conversation. For example, you may risk burning bridges or damaging your professional reputation by not speaking with your boss before quitting. On the other hand, having an open and honest conversation with your boss can help to build trust and respect, and may even lead to a positive outcome.

Often, you can accomplish a change without leaving your organization. Instead of staying in an operating role, you could pursue a move to the company's Foundation to lead your company's efforts in the community or world on issues of strategic import. Or, instead of staying in sales, you could pursue a move into customer service or the supply chain, bringing your deep understanding of the customer to parts of the organization that may need it more. You could also investigate leaving your regional team to join an international team, taking what you have mastered to a bigger platform. Alternatively, you could go from a full-time job to a part-time role, consulting on issues that the company needs your help with while spending the balance of your time working on causes you care deeply about.

You have more control over what you do day-to-day, even within your current organization, than you may imagine. For top performers, companies are motivated to find something that feeds individuals' appetites for growth or change, as well as retaining them in the organization. Many top performers are on a succession slate for bigger roles that just haven't opened up yet, and the company will do what it can to bridge them to a role that both the person and the company are excited about.

Most high-performers are just one awkward conversation away from unlocking incredible possibilities within their current workplace. The key is to ask, listen, and recognize that you may not know all you need to about the alternate possibilities that exist where you are today. The worst thing you can do is to leave without voicing your interest in other options.

Talk with a trusted leader more senior than you. Or with HR. Or both. Whether you are at the beginning of your career or on the back nine, when you are an important contributor, your voice will be listened to. Just initiate that awkward conversation. You'll be glad you did.

Originally published in Smart Business Journal. For more advice on changing jobs or having hard conversations at work, reach out to ProjectYou. Find out how our career coaching can help you find and advance in a career you love. Our assessments, 1:1 career advising, consultation, and professional resume and LinkedIn reviews can take your career to the next level.