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Leaving isn’t the same as quitting. The hardest thing I’ve had to do was leaving toxic workplaces. But it was the best thing I could’ve done for myself. However, not everyone can leave right away. So here are 4 questions to ask (before you quit): 1/ “𝗔𝗺 𝗜 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗱?” → If the answer is no, it’s a red flag. Remember to exhaust your efforts before calling it quits. → For example: Express to your manager you want to take on stretch projects (articulate what that looks like and why it's important) __ 2/ “𝗜𝘀 𝗺𝘆 𝗲𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝘆 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵?” → Do you have a great team? → A supportive manager who pushes you? → Is your company tackling exciting and hairy projects? Create a list of non-negotiables (e.g., remote work, autonomy, etc.), so you know exactly what environment you need to thrive in. __ 3/ “𝗗𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝘆 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝘆 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲𝘀?” → When your values align with work, you feel fulfilled even if the work is hard. → 🚩 A company may say, "We have a work-life balance,” but everyone is a workaholic. Choose a company that lives by its values. __ 4/ “𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗺𝘆 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗼𝘂𝘁?” → Give yourself a timeline with action items For example: “I’ll stick this out for the next 6 months doing (X and Y). If I see no change, I will start applying to 3-5 jobs on XX/XX.” Don’t allow anyone to shame you for leaving a job just because ‘it looks bad’. It’s okay to leave and put yourself first. Choose yourself daily 🙏🏼 image credit: @theoverthinkers.ig
And… 5. Is staying tolerable enough to sustain me while I move on? Sometimes staying for a little while you can build financial cushioning or find a new opportunity spares different burdens. But regardless, don’t stay.
Very insightful Jean Kang Even in difficult times, we must be intentional about our actions. Challenges shouldn't make us passive; instead, we should stay alert to our environment, recognizing when to adapt or move forward. Success comes from purposeful decisions, not just following the crowd. Stay present, stay aware, and act with intention.
Prioritize your well-being and make choices that honor your true self every day 💙🤍
True, leaving toxic places isn’t always the easiest. However, when you realize the damage done, and more to come, you realize it was a safe and best to walk away. Well said Jean Kang
One of the most critical and highly underrated skills is knowing when to walk away. Humility = strength Jean Kang
This was crucial to me as it helped me to connect with some pretty amazing people but also leave when the situation was becoming toxic. :)
Leaving isn’t failure, it’s choosing growth over stagnation.
Couldn't agree more. Look where you are valued, Jean Kang
Leaving a job isn’t quitting. Sometimes, it’s the best thing you can do for yourself. Jean Kang
I will make you VP | Executive Coach and Corporate Rebel | 2x VP Marketing | Ex Google, Microsoft | Best-Selling Author
1wThe only way to thrive in a toxic workplace is to leave! It took me 6 months of misery to figure this out after a manager said to my face: I don't think you're good enough (and then continued to ignore all of my efforts). Once I got out? A promotion, better salary and a team that loved me. Sometimes you can be the whole package and just arrive at the wrong address.