Checklist on Whether to Stay or Go

Here’s a great checklist of whether to leave your job. I am a lawyer and a child of immigrants, so yes I am risk-averse. I stuck it out with big law, public companies, and then a boutique for 15 years before going off on my own (which was life-changing!). I wish I had this checklist from career guru David Kline:

1. Does the mission excite me? I agree with his point that “passion fuels your personal competitive advantage.” (And if you are dialing it in, everyone can tell; you are not optimizing for the company or for yourself.)
2. Do my values align with the company? A good point: “Forget what they wrote in the mission statement. Once inside, the real values will exert quiet pressure on your decisions, your actions, your behavior. Would your kids be proud of how you are treating others at work? If not, go now.”
3. Am I growing? Growth is key for a lawyer to succeed. If you are not broadening or deepening your knowledge (hopefully both), this is not good for your career.
4. Is my company growing? I agree that there is energy, creativity, and opportunity at growing companies. You will be inspired, able to learn more and pick up new things.
5. Do I have real friends at work? People who have a best friend at work are happier and 7x more likely to be engaged at work (as reported by Harvard Business Review).
6. Is your contribution valued? Kline notes “Align what you’re best at with how the business profits.” Alas Legal is often viewed as a cost center. At a minimum, avoid places that do not respect Legal’s advice.
7. How’s my health? Acknowledge what your body is telling you (panic attacks, heartburn, insomnia, lingering illnesses, etc.). (Um yes, this is how I knew I had to leave a job, when my body told me what my mind would not admit.)
8. Am I focused? Is your time spent on top priorities/actual work?

Life is too short to work somewhere that’s not a good fit, and the job market is finally favorable to employees!