How to Navigate a Career Crossroads by Exploring Your Ecosystem
We are post-winter hibernation and bonus season — with spring poking its way back into our lives and hope in the air, this is a time when many people find themselves at a career crossroads.
There are multiple angles of work/life to consider as you approach your own crossroads: the work you do, why you do it, in what environment you prefer to work, etc. Perhaps you’ve stalled as you consider which way to turn; it’s natural to find this phase of uncertainty challenging and unsettling. You might feel overwhelmed by where to even start: Should you quit your job? Change industry? Wait it out? The answer is more complex than yes/no to any of the above questions, and focusing on one angle at a time can provide clarity before making any decisions.
The piece I want to touch on today is your ecosystem. I love National Geographic’s definition: “An ecosystem is a geographic area where plants, animals, and other organisms, as well as weather and landscapes, work together to form a bubble of life.” In the context of career, your ecosystem — the bubble of work life — is composed of your colleagues, team, division, organisational culture, physical environment, and location.
Here are three ways to explore your ecosystem with a critical lens:
Google Your Geography
Just as you search for information on Google, do the same for your work environment. Some sample questions to consider:
How am I experiencing my current work environment? What words would I use to describe it?
Am I in a toxic take-down culture or a culture that is inclusive and inspiring?
Do the behaviours in my work environment align with the vision presented, and do these behaviours align with my own values?
What type of relationship do I have with my colleagues, leader, and broader organisation?
How happy am I with my current work setup (working from home, in person, hybrid, physical space)? How important is it to maintain this type of setup if I make a move?
Does this ecosystem support my aspirations?
Rate each component on a scale from 1-10, looking for patterns and noticing what comes up for you. Oftentimes you’ll realize that there’s more than just the workload creating friction and driving you toward making a change.
Circle Your Influence
Next, focus on what you can actually control/influence.
The circle of influence, developed by Steven Covey (author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People), addresses the segments of your life that you have the ability to influence versus the aspects you don’t. You can’t change the weather, for example. The idea is to focus on what is in your circle of control (habits, behaviours, mindset) and note where you have agency to influence (relationships, decisions), and to make changes from that perspective.
When exploring your ecosystem, keep that in mind at all times.
Take the Turn
For example: If your company is implementing a return-to-work policy, that is likely not something you can influence. On your rating scale, how important is it that you’re able to work from home? If you rated this factor a 10, then you may consider looking for a new role with a flexible environment.
I’ve coached clients who talk of wanting to leave a job or start a new career — but as we start to unpack the situation, they often realize that what they need is temporary relief from their ecosystem as a way to gain insights and perspective. For some, this means taking a sabbatical (which is a privilege not available to many). For others, it means figuring out how to use their time differently — not giving 110% to their job, rather allowing space to reflect and explore other avenues.
One option to consider is spreading your roots to another environment, such as a virtual book club, volunteer organisation, or networking group. This offers the possibility to start expanding your ecosystem to include spaces that are more nurturing for your soul. And from that place, where you have more oxygen and clarity to think things through, directional pointers will reveal themselves to help you take the turn with confidence.
—
An important part in any career crossroads is identifying an environment conducive to growth, learning, and fulfillment. By exploring your ecosystem, you have an opportunity to be more focused as you embark on your next step — whether that’s a slight turn or a complete 180.
