Trust in leadership isn’t optional, it’s the backbone of a healthy workplace. But when leaders say one thing and do another, constantly shift blame to customers, or leave you feeling drained and directionless, it may be time to ask yourself: Why am I still here?
If you’re questioning your company’s leadership, here are three clear signs that it’s time to move on.
When Leadership’s Words and Actions Don’t Match
Nothing erodes trust faster than leaders who talk a good game but don’t back it up. They promise transparency while making key decisions behind closed doors. They preach stability but continue making erratic, reactionary moves. They claim to value employees, yet they cut benefits, overload teams, and ignore feedback.
When leadership’s actions don’t align with their words, it’s not just miscommunication, it’s dishonesty. And if they’re willing to mislead employees now, don’t expect them to have your back when it really matters. A company that doesn’t keep its promises isn’t one you can build a future with long term. If you find yourself constantly questioning whether leadership’s words mean anything, that’s likely your answer.
When Leadership Blames the Customer for Internal Problems
When leadership starts making constant excuses and blaming customers for problems that are clearly internal, it’s a massive red flag.
Instead of taking responsibility for issues like poor product quality, missed deadlines, or underperformance, they point fingers at customers. Sometimes blaming customers for being too demanding or not providing clear requirements. This tactic is a cop-out and only further isolates employees from the core issues.
If leaders are unwilling to take ownership and shift the blame to customers, it shows a lack of accountability at the top. They’re more interested in protecting their own reputation than addressing the company’s shortcomings. As an employee, you shouldn’t have to bear the brunt of leadership’s failure to fix internal problems. If this becomes the norm, it’s time to move on because a company that does not fixes its core issues will only continue to spiral downward.
When Your Gut Tells You It’s Over
Sometimes, the biggest sign that it’s time to leave isn’t a single event, it’s the way you feel every day. You wake up dreading work, feeling disengaged, uninspired, and mentally checked out. No matter how much you try to push through, deep down, you know you don’t believe in the company’s future, or your place in it. In Patrick Lencioni’s six types working genius this is known as discernment.
If you’ve lost trust in leadership, you don’t owe them loyalty. You owe yourself a better environment. Staying in a company where you no longer feel a sense of purpose or trust in leadership will only drain you further. When your gut tells you it’s over, listen.
Keep in mind that this is not a blog post to give us a leave because we just don’t get the feels when we show up to work, but one that we see actual red flags over time when we are showing up to work consistently. We also need to take ownership in our lives to give an honest effort to assess when it is just a tough season at work and when it truly is a bad environment. Before making the decision to leave take time to really think about the decision, ask trusted peers for advice, and speak to loved ones before just making the decision in a vacuum.
In the end if you trust yourself and have a high level of discernment you will know truly what is going on and will be able to make a good decision and step into the correct decision for your future!
With decades of experience studying why people buy and how to inspire loyalty, Kevin equips sales professionals and leaders to deliver exceptional value, ensuring customers return again and again.
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