Last week, the question was posed: “Have you thoughtfully considered what ‘more’ means to you?” when comparing an existing job or career to a new opportunity. Prestige, responsibility, and recognition are all common sentiments contributing to employees leaving their role for a fresh start. Compensation, and sheer confusion about or lack of personal goals are also leading factors.

Compensation

“The best use of money as a motivator is to pay people enough to take the issue of money off of the table.” – Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel Pink

The most effective negotiators approach conversations with a win/win mentality. Research your market value based on identical or similar roles and peers with similar experience within your market. If you believe you deserve a pay increase, present evidence showcasing increased responsibility and your successful acceptance of additional workload to date.

Be reasonable, and remember: organizations will always act with their best interest in mind. Your company may disagree with your perceived market value for a number of reasons, including being unable to afford the change. If this is the case, you have a rational justification to pursue a new opportunity.

I don’t know yet, but this isn’t it

“Most people would rather die than think. Many do.” -Bertrand Russell

Even if you are unsure of what you should or want to do next, you more than likely have experience in something you don’t want to do. Take each opportunity as a new adventure with limitless potential, and commit to honestly and thoughtfully making the most of them. Open your ears when your peers and managers offer feedback, encouragement and criticism.

Assert yourself when you have a meaningful contribution, and recognize the boundary between standing up for what you believe in and backing down from issues that aren’t worth confronting.

Not all work cultures are conducive to disruptive ideas. Seek out those that are. You owe it to yourself and the time you invest to thoughtfully pursue new avenues before discounting entirely and moving on. Be bold, but humble. Ask for forgiveness, not permission. Commit to learning quickly. Admit to and learn from your mistakes. Be generous with your time and thoughtful with your feedback, contributions and ideas. And most importantly: how will you know if you never ask?

Written by: Abbey Sullivan