YOU HAVE A BAD BOSS

It’s an oft-bemoaned fact that a bad boss can turn an otherwise great job into a terrible one. But before you rush to quit so you’ll never have to answer to that monster again, think about what you could be giving up in the process.

If you’re in a role with lots of growth potential, there’s a chance that come this time next year, you’ll no longer be reporting to that same boss anyway, thus eliminating your key sticking point with the job. On the other hand, if you let your frustration get the better of you, you might leave before getting a chance to grow your career.

If your boss is the sole reason you’re looking to quit, try working on that relationship before acting prematurely. For starters, sit down with your boss and address the problem head-on.

Explain that you’re looking to improve your relationship, and that you’re willing to take steps to make things better for both of you. With any luck, that’ll soothe the situation and get him to ease up.

If that doesn’t work, there are other avenues you might pursue, whether it’s getting HR involved or asking to switch to a different team. But no matter what you do, don’t pull the plug on a fantastic job before exploring alternatives.
 

YOU DIDN’T GET THE PROMOTION

Sometimes a setback at work can seem unfair, making you want to immediately turn in your resignation. Being passed over for a promotion may feel like the right time to quit, but that’s not always the case.

Before you storm off in a rage or quit, it’s best to do an honest assessment. Request a meeting with the person who made the decision and ask what you could do differently next time. When that meeting happens, you may hear some constructive criticism and realize that you not getting the position was actually fair.

Of course, you may be told things that you don’t want to hear, and those are important, too. In many cases, who gets a promotion has a logic behind it. Sometimes that logic is simply seniority, and that may be a tough answer to swallow. In other cases, you will learn what you need to do in order to not be on the outside looking in next time.

Every failure is a lesson, and sometimes it’s not failure at all. You may learn your boss has other plans for you, or that you’re next in line. You could also realize that you have no future at your company.

That’s a good lesson as well. It can allow you to fully understand your situation and make rational plans for the future.