We're Not Buying.

In a recent Wall Street Journal article, Ben Kesling discussed a new phenomenon among veterans. He claims that something is happening where military families and veterans do not recommend military service as a viable option for their friends and family.  

When you're in a job, or a field, or a career, how do you know when to leave? When do you know when to start considering a move?

This one question can guide the timing of your decision to stay or go. It's not a be-all, end-all, exhaustive question. But this one question can tip you off to when you should go.  

Here is the question: Who's not buying their own product? Who is not buying the very widget they're selling?

When current employees bring up the fact that the product is not worth it, that the product/process is not ethical, that the service is unnecessary.  All of these factors point to the hidden presumption that a field is drawing to a close.

These issues highlight the fact that your values are not aligned.  And maybe an organization's values are not keeping up with the market.

Right now in higher ed, people in education are questioning the value proposition in their own domain. Are college professors still sending their kids to college? Can professors still claim they are the holder of special knowledge? And are college professors still vesting their efforts into the university system? Is the product worth the college debt that students will accrue? Is trade school a more attractive option?  

As a part of the organization, do you find yourself recommending that organization? And even if you don't recommend your specific organization or team, do you find yourself recommending the overall field you're in?

If an organization is offering a family discount, is that discount being utilized by employees?  

You might not be able to answer these questions, but these questions are a great indicator that it might be time to leave.  

It's the professor who brags about the value of college but will not send her family to the university.

The server who works at a restaurant, yet will not recommend the food to friends.

It's the car salesman who offers you the extended warranty but will not purchase it himself.

You'll know it's time to leave when the sales pitch fails to resonate. It will not land or find its audience. Because…. we're not buying.