My friend Brent told me once that many professionals lack an exit strategy. I agree. If you think what you’re doing today will last forever you’re…well…crazy. This comes from a man who has had more than one balloon popped by change. It took me a number of years, but now I see change as a friend and not an enemy. Your next chapter is inevitably held up by hanging on when you should let go, and man is it tough to let go.
Disclaimer here; if you’re called to see it through to the end, even when the odds are against you, then you should do it. That’s destiny at work. When I was ceremoniously escorted out of corporate America all of my exit doors were shut before I could do anything…or so I thought. Don’t mean to make you wince, but I was supposed to lose. I was supposed have things turned upside down. Without those events, I’m confident I wouldn’t be the man I am today.
In many ways and exit strategy can be a win masked as a loss.
See this piece from the The Washington Post on the record industry. What a last gasp for air. Do you think the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) needs an exit strategy? Can any individual or organization afford to not have one?
I had a manager who routinely looked at a position and would say something like “this looks good for a couple of years and then it will be time to move on.” And he followed his advice.
I think when you have been in a position for a couple of months, you should give “how long will this position be good?” a try. You may be right or wrong, but the exercise forces you to think through the good and the bad about a position and puts you in a position to see signals for both.
Good advice, Eric.