We have all experienced it at one point or another in our careers: new management comes in, and suddenly a surge of closed-door meetings has the office buzzing. Or, a new supervisor is hired, and you quickly sense tension throughout your department. Sometimes you can’t quite put your finger on it, but something at work just doesn’t quite feel right. Maybe it’s nothing, but maybe, just maybe, it’s your gut saying that it’s time for you to look for a better job.
Career experts say that more often than not, the problem is not just in your head. Human instinct is far smarter than we give it credit for. We have many thousands of years’ worth of evolutionary intelligence alerting us about when a saber tooth tiger is stalking close behind—or when a new boss is contemplating our replacement.
So when you’re feeling threatened, you often are, and the following red flags are signs your job could be at risk.
Red Flag #1: Your boss’s attitude toward you changes
Regardless of whether you and your current boss have a smooth relationship or a challenging one, if you notice changes in the way he or she treats you—from something as seemingly innocuous as avoiding casual conversation, to the more threatening move of taking away some of your responsibilities—it could be a sign of trouble.
First, try reaching out. If you’re feeling excluded, follow up with your boss directly, if you can. (And if you can’t—if you feel that it would be too awkward to initiate a discussion—that’s definitely a sign there’s something wrong, too.)
Schedule a meeting with your manager … do not drop in and start this particular conversation without warning. I guarantee that it will not go well if your boss feels ambushed. When you schedule a meeting with your manager, be sure to keep your check-in positive. Tell your boss something like, “I’m doing some self-assessment and I would appreciate your advice on how I can become a stronger performer.”
This gives your boss the opportunity to prepare and give you honest feedback, which is what you really want. Furthermore, it makes you an ally instead of an antagonist. And by showing an interest in your work performance, your boss can’t help but view you more favorably.
Keep in mind, however, that your boss could be experiencing his or her own stressors, particularly if your company is under new executive management. If your boss seems disengaged, it could mean that they’re preoccupied with their own struggles within the new company structure, and the current relationship shift between the two of you has nothing to do with you, your performance, or your status within the company. Before you jump to conclusions, remember that it might not be “all about me.”
Red Flag #2: You have a new boss and you feel more tension than normal
In today’s business world, getting a new boss may be something that happens to you on a yearly basis. While having a new boss is not a warning sign in itself, how this person treats you at the get-go can be. If your boss is being hard on you, ignoring you, or if they’re giving you unreasonable (or peculiar) work assignments, it can spell trouble. However, don’t automatically run out and start looking for a new job. First, ask yourself, “What’s my best option here?”
Why do I suggest that you temper your gut reaction? Because the situation doesn’t always mean the end is near. A new boss may give out mixed messages because they’re finding their way within their new position—just like anyone else, they have to find out what’s expected of them, how to interact with their colleagues, and how to accomplish their department goals. What’s more, because of your lack of familiarity with your new boss, you could just be misreading his or her attitude. Again, before you jump to conclusions, investigate a little further.
So what can you do? If you have a mentor in the company, ask for advice on how to deal with your new boss. Alternatively, reach out to your new boss directly. Ask for a brief introductory meeting in order to understand their expectations for you, and to “get a read” on their personal communication style, which could be very different from yours. This gives you a chance to show that you support your new boss, which could lead to a much healthier relationship. However, if the situation has not improved once the dust settles and a reasonable amount of time has transpired, then start thinking about your next move.
Red Flag #3: You are left out of meetings you once attended
Ouch! Sad to say, but this is an almost telltale sign that you need to at least start putting out feelers in your professional network. While you shouldn’t jump to catastrophe mode quite yet, don’t sit there like a bump on a log, either. If you’d like to stay within your current organization, look for new opportunities that your HR department announces. Also, reach out to trusted associates for more information about the boss/employee relationships in other departments.
If you would feel more comfortable at a new company, put out feelers to your external contacts and let them know you’re in job search mode. And if you’re not currently involved in professional organizations or actively networking, you need to start doing both now, regardless of your job status. The time to start building your network is not when you desperately need it—it’s always easier to find a new job while you still have your old one.
Red Flag #4: Your company says that it is “heading in a new direction”
(Oh, oh … cue the theme music from “Jaws.”) New management comes in, and though you still have a job, it’s not what you originally signed up for. If monumental change excites you, ride the wave and try to position yourself as a mover and shaker within the new organizational structure. However, if you don’t love what you see, change-wise, it’s time to ask yourself a few key questions. The first one is, “Is this the organization I had hoped it would be?” And if it’s changed in some major ways, ask, “Am I fully behind the change, or is this problematic for me?” Only you can answer these questions.
Moreover, the answers you come up with will help you decide what to do. If you self-assess that staying with the organization is going to cause you an inordinate amount of stress, you’re better off making the move sooner rather than later.
Red Flag #5: The thought of work makes you so uncomfortable that you break out in a sweat (or something close to that)
Amid any kind of change at work, you may find yourself a bit anxious, wondering if your current job is the right one for you. That’s normal. But it becomes an issue when the problem persists.
I had a freelance writer who worked for me, who introduced me to what he called “The Football Test.” His once-terrific job had gone downhill fast during the economic downturn of the Bush administration. He knew it was time to leave that job when he started dreading going back to work on Monday morning while watching the Sunday afternoon National Football League games. When his work ruined his love of the Kansas City Chiefs (and believe me, he was a huge Chiefs fan), he knew it was time to go.
Whether you watch the NFL or not, if Sunday afternoon becomes a depressing time for you, it’s time to start researching your viability as a candidate for a new job. Polish up your resume, network with everyone you meet, and get out there and facilitate a change for the better—you’ll be glad you did.
As a quick extra tip, your age will help you determine what to look for. If you are midway through your career (or more), you will want to focus on making your next job fit you, rather than making yourself fit into a job. And if you’re just starting out, then just about any change toward a more positive work environment will provide you the Sunday afternoon relief you need and deserve.
Red Flag #6: You feel too comfortable
Yes, it sounds counterintuitive, but being too comfortable in your job can actually be a bad thing, too. If you’re too comfortable at work, you’re likely not very engaged—something no boss likes to see, and something your poor brain finds to be terribly discouraging, boring, and developmentally stunting. If you can’t remember the last time you took an on-line class, requested new training, asked to cross-train with another department, took on a special project, or the dozens of other things that motivated, committed employees normally do, then it’s time to show your boss you’re still in the game. Attend a seminar, sign up for a webinar, mentor a new employee, read a leadership book—do whatever it takes to rekindle the fire in your belly.
It’s also possible that you will not truly know whether you’re too comfortable until you test the market. If you do a little job hunting, whether virtually (on-line searches) or “in vivo” (by sending out a few resumes and maybe even attending a few interviews), one of two things will happen. You will either go exploring and realize how great you have it where you already are, or you’ll see how much better it might be somewhere else. If it’s the former, appreciating your current situation will make you feel calmer and happier, and it also drives better work performance in the future—something every boss likes to see. If it’s the latter, then getting out of a bad situation is always a good thing.
Unless your last name is Vanderbilt or Rothschild, chances are that you need to earn a living by taking home a paycheck. But you owe it to yourself to seek employment with a company that’s reasonably free of stress, negativity, in-fighting, and most certainly abuse … a place where you’re respected, appreciated, and included … a place where you can learn, grow, and thrive. If you’re not already there, then it may be time to go find it.