By Afia DRAH
Quitting a job is like death: we all know it happens, but no one wants to talk about it. I’ve seen countless books and heard hundreds of podcasts on landing your dream job, preparing for an interview, negotiating a six-figure salary, and excelling at your new job. However, I haven’t seen the same energy around quitting one’s job. Maybe there are books and other materials on the topic, but they aren’t as prominent as those about job entry. Like my analogy with death, no one wants to think about it, right?
Just like death, leaving a job is inevitable. Even if you don’t quit or get laid off, you will eventually retire. I have gone through this process of quitting my job three times. Maybe it’s not enough to make me an “expert” on the subject, but I believe my experience can help someone considering quitting.
By the way, it’s okay to quit. We must stop associating quitting with failure. The wholesale approach of the “winners never quit” campaign is stifling. Humans are dynamic beings and must be allowed to rescind our decisions at any point in our lives, especially regarding jobs.
What worked for you or served the purpose in your 20s or 30s might not work in your 40s or 50s. People change, interests change, environments change, and needs change. In fact,
- M. Jablin (2001), in his work on Organizational Entry, Assimilation, and Disengagement, talks about it as a process. We enter, acclimatize, and we leave.
Again, it’s okay to quit. People leave jobs for different reasons, and I can’t even begin to enumerate them here. I recently left my job, and during my exit, I did some things instinctively. It wasn’t until an acquaintance mentioned she was also leaving her job that I, like the quintessential counselor and mentor that I am, provided her with some insights based on my personal experience.
In this piece, I will share insights into some of the ways you can navigate leaving your job in a way that ensures a smooth transition. Jablin (2001) proposes steps we go through when leaving our jobs: Preannouncement, Announcement of Exit, Actual Exit, and Post-Exit. This is a good resource I recommend to every professional, regardless of the level you are in your career, especially for communication professionals because Jablin is an authority in organizational communication.
Here are my insights based on personal experience. As a caveat, I have used some biblical references, which I believe can provide some context.
- You don’t owe anyone an explanation
You are under no obligation to explain why you are leaving. Your reasons are personal and valid. One thing I have come to know in my short life is, you don’t need the whole world to validate your plans. People who have made big life moves and have landed them fortunes did not use a 100-man committee to vet their plans.
By all means, have your nearest and dearest advisors, but, in my experience, having done this three times, you actually don’t owe the world an explanation. If you have an “approval syndrome disease,” it will be difficult to navigate this life.
- No one has to know your next move
Keep your future plans to yourself until you are ready to share. This helps maintain your privacy and prevents unnecessary speculation. It is very hard to do this, trust me. In a capitalist society where we are expected to move from 1 to 2, it is very hard.
When you announce your exit, everyone wants to know where next for you. It is okay to share if you want to; however, it is no one’s business if you choose not to. When people asked me what was next for me, I would always answer, “The steps of the righteous are ordered by the Lord.” I said it so many times that it became a mantra.
- This is not the time for retribution
Don’t use your exit as an opportunity to settle scores. Leave with dignity and professionalism. Now, this is also a hard part. I will not even pretend it won’t cross your mind a few times. No matter how good of a person you are, the corporate environment can be a war zone with many, many, many issues. It’s even worse if you work in a role that interfaces with almost everyone in the organization; you will have a lot of “battles.” But trust me on this: leaving is not the time to show people your ugly side. The way you exit is as important as the way you enter.
- Leave empty; pour out everything
Samson killed more people when he died than when he lived (Judges 16:30). One of my guiding principles was told to me by Astus Ahiagble, who taught me Introduction to Television Production in 20 years ago. “You are as good as your last job.” The temptation of leaving is, “What’s the worst that can happen?” It is sometimes said that people check out as soon as they give their notice, some even before they serve the notice. It can be tempting to be unperturbed about the job during this time.
I know some organizations have a general attitude of gradually weaning employees off, and it can be both disorienting and demotivating for people. But don’t fall for that. Pour out your best. You don’t want to be remembered as Joe, the guy who did zero work when he was leaving. You don’t want to be a case study. Put in 110%. Give your best till the end; share your knowledge and complete your tasks.
- Don’t take hostages
When Saul disobeyed God by taking hostages, he lost his kingship (1 Samuel 15). Leave without creating issues or dragging others into your departure. This is also a tricky part. Of the three times I left, there was only one that nearly didn’t go well in this regard, but I have learned from the experience.
For context, Merriam-Webster defines a hostage as a person or thing held by one party in a conflict as a pledge pending the fulfillment of an agreement. As I mentioned earlier, people leave for different reasons, whether on a good or bad note, often taking things with them. It might not be material substance. Yes, the organization may have not fulfilled some obligations—it happens—but don’t take any hostages. If you have time, read what happened to Saul in 1 Samuel 15 to understand the full context of my point about not taking hostages. It is an entitlement mentality that leads to this hostage situation. Let everything go, material or not. Everything can be left behind.
- Don’t overthink your next move
Trust that your next step will become clear. Overthinking can lead to unnecessary stress and anxiety. You can ward off ants standing in ants. Sometimes moving away can bring the clarity you need to figure your next move out. The typical move is getting a new job before you jump out of your old one. It is advisable.
That’s what the books say, for economic reasons. In all three of my moves, it was the opposite. Don’t try this at home. Lol. Assess your situation, see what works best considering your economic circumstances, and make your move. There is not a one-size-fits-all approach to quitting your job or life in general.
- Your family is your best friend
Lean on your family for support. They are your closest allies during times of transition. Family is not only biological. “One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24). Navigating this alone can be tough on anyone; even the strongest of us need our family. If you are married or have a partner, this can impact their lives as well.
It is good to bring them in from the onset. In Ghana, where therapy is not a normal practice, one’s nearest and dearest can provide the space to help whether the quitting is voluntary or involuntary.
- Put a freeze on spending
Again, this is not a general rule. This is based on one’s economic position. To reiterate, in all three times of leaving a job, I didn’t jump right into another, so my strategy was to be as frugal as I could be. If you are like me, my recommendation is until you have another consistent source of income, be mindful of your expenditures to ensure financial stability. Not having regular income can be depressing. Also, unless you are laid off or something drastic happened for you to quit, I suggest you plan this for a couple of months.
I did one in my 20s, another in my 30s, and one in my 40s. In all, the approach was different. In my 20s, it was youthful exuberance. No plan, I just left. Of course, I got called for a job a few days after. I was blessed. However, in my 30s, I saved enough to pay myself for a whole year. Then in my 40s, I had enough money, a plan, and a partner who was ready to support me financially. Always have money. It helps you think straight.
- Leave fully
Don’t look back. Two scriptures come to mind. Genesis 19 describes how Lot’s wife became a pillar of salt after she looked back. I will not go into Sodom’s destruction because I don’t want us to legitimize the feeling that when we are leaving, the company is going to be in ruins. That savior complex can be destructive.
When Peter walked on water, he began to sink when he looked at the waves even though Jesus had beckoned him to come (Matthew 14:29-30). Commit fully to your decision and move forward with confidence.
There is a thin line between giving feedback and micromanaging the job you have left, especially if you were a manager or lead a team. It is even more difficult for those who work in the creative space; you will be tempted to offer your unsolicited advice on almost everything they do. There is nothing wrong with that. But it doesn’t help you to move on. I am not going to pretend I haven’t done that a few times… No, not a few times, a lot of times. I had to stop myself. When you leave, you must actually live.
- Go through the Process
There is the “street” school of thought regarding the notice period. “If you are tired, get up and go,” “if the company was firing you, they wouldn’t give you three months’ notice,” “you must burn the bridge, set fire to it, and throw it into the sea,” “what’s the worst that can happen?” I get all the personal reasons why people might want to throw caution to the wind and not do the proper thing during their exit.
The fact that you get up and leave does not mean it will end badly for you; life is not a “Nigerian film.” People act for different reasons. However, it is only appropriate that you exit the right way, for posterity’s sake. And there is the standard rule governing every organization you work for.
By all means, go through the right procedure. Personally, I don’t think it serves you any purpose to have bad blood between you and a former employer. There are some avoidable battles; this is not one of them. For an example of how to navigate this, follow Jablin’s preannouncement, announcement, actual exit, and post-exit strategies. My sense is, leave right.
In conclusion, quitting a job can be a difficult decision. Whether you are moving on to something new or just finding your feet, it’s a necessary part of professional and personal growth. Embrace the change and trust that it will lead to new and exciting opportunities. Remember, no matter the reason, they are personal and valid.
>>>the writer is an accredited PR professional with a master’s in Business and Organizational Communication. She has also worked in content development across diverse industries. Afia boasts an exceptional track record of spearheading projects for global organizations and leading initiatives that have successfully reached audiences of over a million. In addition to her professional achievements, Afia is a trainer, facilitator, and speaker, having participated in numerous events and conferences. She has also served as a guest lecturer at universities, including GIJ, NAFTI, UPSA, and Webster University. Currently, she is the founder of Forecast Strategies, a boutique PR consultancy. She can be reached via [email protected]
