Deciding whether to stick it out or jump ship is one of the most challenging—and personal—career decisions you can make. On one hand, a hasty, emotionally driven departure can leave you with unexpected problems, regrets, and even a loss of financial upside. On the other hand, staying in an environment where you feel undervalued or misaligned with leadership can sap your motivation and long-term career growth. Below is a closer look at the factors at play and how a measured, professional approach might help you make the best decision.

The Emotional Trap and Regret Statistics

Research suggests that many workers who leave their jobs do so based on immediate emotional reactions rather than long-term strategic planning. In fact, a study by Paychex found that as many as 80% of employees who quit during the “Great Resignation” ended up regretting their decision. This high percentage underscores how easy it is to fall into familiar traps when emotions run high—leaving money on the table, trading one set of challenges for another, and ultimately, finding yourself in a role that leaves you worse off than before.

Making decisions when you’re emotionally charged can lead to:

• Overestimating immediate benefits: The allure of escaping a toxic environment may blind you to the long-term security of your current role.
• Underestimating transition risks: Changing jobs in a shaky economy, especially for higher wage earners, might expose you to unforeseen issues such as lower salary growth or limited upward mobility.
• Trading problems rather than solving them: Sometimes the new role simply swaps one set of issues for another without truly addressing the underlying challenges in your professional relationships or workplace culture.

Is Staying a Better Option?

Given the current economic uncertainty—and the particular challenges faced by higher wage earners—it may be wise to pause and consider whether improving your current situation might yield better long-term results than an abrupt departure. Working on strengthening peer and manager relationships can not only boost your day-to-day satisfaction but also increase your visibility and influence within your organization.

Studies have indicated that when employees invest in cultivating supportive relationships at work, they often experience enhanced job satisfaction and improved performance. In other words, there’s significant value in trying to fix what can be fixed before making a drastic change.

A Proactive, Professional Approach with inclineHR

If you’re feeling stuck or unsure of how you’re perceived at work, a professionally facilitated 360feedback process—one that isn’t simply a cold, impersonal survey—can be a gamechanger. Rather than leaving your job on a whim, consider engaging a professional coach to:

• Provide objective insights: A 360feedback session facilitated by inclineHR can help you understand how peers, managers, and direct reports view your strengths and areas for improvement.
• Develop actionable strategies: Work with an inclineHR coach to close any gaps in communication or leadership skills, which might be the root cause of your frustrations.
• Strengthen your professional relationships: By addressing interpersonal dynamics, you may be able to significantly improve your work environment—and your own sense of fulfillment—without the risks associated with a sudden job switch.

Conclusion

Before making a life-changing decision to jump to a new company, ask yourself: Are you being driven by a temporary emotional surge, or have you carefully weighed the long-term pros and cons? With research suggesting that up to 80% of quitters eventually regret their departure, it pays to take a measured approach. Instead of being swept away by frustration or fear, consider investing in your professional development and workplace relationships. A professionally facilitated 360 feedback from inclineHR might be just the tool you need to gain clarity, build stronger connections, and turn your current situation into an opportunity for growth rather than a source of regret.