In college; I was in a job I didn't love. I wanted to do something else but needed to figure out what that next chapter would be. A mentor of mine challenged me with this perspective. He said, "Amber, with every change, you should ask, 'Am I running towards something or away from something?'"
If you are running towards something, you are intentionally taking steps towards something that is ideally better. Trying something new with a goal in mind. You are looking forward.
If you are running away from something, there is no clarity in goal or vision that the next job, project, initiative, or system will be better. It actually might be worse. When you are running away, you are more apt to look back and compare positions. When running away, the clarity of mind, vision, and action is more likely to be muddled.
Sometimes, the same action may be taken but from two different insights. I remember I was mentoring a couple of high school girls in different unhealthy romantic relationships. One ran away from the unhealthy relationship and into another unhealthy relationship. The other girl left the relationship and intentionally ran toward healing and freedom. Later she ran towards a partner that treated her with respect.
In your organization, you may have change that is happening with or without this question. An involuntary leadership change, regulations change, business needs change... In these situations, you have an opportunity to respond and make adjustments according to the situation. I encourage you in your strategy sessions to ask, "Are we running towards something or away from something?"
In your communication with your organization, I would like you to craft a message highlighting what you are running toward, not what you are running away from. Cast a vision of how you are moving forward, and what you are moving towards, and lead people into the future. An unclear vision of the movement, or worse, "Running away" communication can ignite fear, anxiety, and rumors, and does not set the team up for successful change leadership.
I was working with an organization whose key narrative during the departure of a senior leader was, "I can't imagine this company without him." In preparation for his retirement, the company did not look forward; they only reminisced about the past. This "running away from the past" communication did not lead the organization to look forward. Celebrate the past, then cast a vision forward. Keep moving forward.
In my college career dilemma, I couldn't honestly answer the question with alternative jobs. If I left, what would I be intentionally running towards? I chose to stay at my company a little longer, learn as much as possible, and find clarity in this question. What did I want to run towards? When I did leave, I was running towards something with a clear purpose.
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