Word-Of-the-Week #901: Plateau

November 11, 2021 by  

Plateau – a period or state of little or no growth or decline, esp. one in which increase or progress ceases.

How satisfied are you with the company you work for? Is there room for advancement?

This week is the 1st half of “6 Signs it’s Time to Quit Your Job” by Kathryn Vasel, CNN Business.

“Millions of workers have left their jobs in recent months. 

Some found new roles, while others walked away without having anything lined up. So how do you know if it’s time for you to start looking for a new role? 

“Many of us have bad days, don’t like our jobs at times and have frustrations with our managers and co-workers, but does it mean you should actually quit is a different level of a question,” said Amy Gallo, workplace expert and contributing editor at Harvard Business Review. 

Evaluating how long there’s been issues with work and identifying what you are dissatisfied with can help determine whether you’re stuck in a rut or if it’s time to move on. 

And don’t lose sight of the big picture: “In the pandemic, things have been very intense. We’ve all felt a lot of burnout. We’ve had a lot of stressors in our lives,” said Gallo. “Is it possible all of that is influencing your perception of your job?” 

Once you have the list, figure out if the problems are fixable, and start outlining any potential resolutions to improve your job satisfaction. If that doesn’t seem possible, you may want to start looking for another job. 

Here are some signs that could signal it’s time to find a new role: 

  • You feel like you’ve plateaued 

It’s hard to stay motivated and productive at work if you feel there’s no room for advancement. 

Feeling like you’ve plateaued can look different to each individual. For instance, it could mean a lack of promotions and pay raises, uninteresting assignments or lack of learning new skills. 

Long-term unfilled promises from your boss, like a new position, additional training or staff, can also be draining. 

“If you don’t feel like the inroads or the transparency or communication and connection with your boss is there to have a fruitful conversation, that can be a red flag,” said Anna Bray, executive and career coach at Jody Michael Associates. 

  • There are major issues with your boss 

There are going to be times when you and your boss don’t see eye-to-eye, but when issues go beyond casual disagreements and there’s a lack of trust and support, that can stifle productivity and career progression.

 “When you feel like you have to constantly monitor what you are saying…when you feel like you are constantly being scolded or evaluated, feeling like you are under a microscope constantly, and when you feel like your manager doesn’t have your back, there is no trust there — when those three things are present, it’s not going to work,” said Foram Sheth, chief coaching officer and co-founder of coaching company Ama La Vida. 

Gallo suggested evaluating whether your bad boss is an isolated problem or part of a bigger cultural issue. 

“Any bullying or toxic behaviors, I think those are real signs,” said Gallo. “Look around the organization and say: ‘are there better bosses here?’ It could be that your boss is acting in accordance with the organization.”

This week’s focus is if you’ve hit a plateau. Does your job feel stagnate? Do you think that you should be paid more or promoted for the work you do? Do you trust and feel supported by your boss?

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