The Grass Is Always Greener…Or Is It?
So the competitor is recruiting you? Common-sense thoughts to consider from one who’s been there and done that.
If you have ever worked for an industry-leading company for any substantial length of time (and are good at what you do) chances are, at some point in your career, you have been, or will be, recruited by a lower-tier competitor.
The proposition is flattering, intriguing, and frightening.
Now, I understand there are ambitious people in this world who have no qualms about jumping from company to company, always in search of the next big thing. I’m not talking to them. I’m talking to folks who have been dedicated and become solidly invested in a company, playing their part for many years, who are not accustomed to peeking over at the grass on the other side of the fence.
This recently happened to me, and after twenty years of loyal and fruitful employment with my industry’s leading company, I made the jump (after a year’s worth of persistent wooing on their part) to a competing company who was struggling yet newly committed to fight for their share of the market.
If you are considering such a jump, here are a few interesting and hopefully helpful lessons I learned about taking a step down in hopes of taking a leap up.
- Do Your Homework
You didn’t get to your current position of success by being naïve, so obviously you will check this company out as thoroughly as you can. If you’ve been in your industry for long, chances are you’ve established relationships with a lot of good people. During this time, somebody you trust has already made this same jump over. Reach out to them.
Because my industry had been in a volatile period, I had a few connections inside this new company who had recently been lured away. If I was going to make a decision as big as this, say goodbye to twenty years of tenure, you can dang sure bet I was going to get as much straight poop as was available.
Here’s the deal: whoever it is that is recruiting you, as honest and well-intentioned as they may be, they are only going to give you the shiniest, most attractive image they possibly can. How far do you trust this?
I highly suggest you obtain as much insider-info as you can from people you respect.
At the same time, they will be giving you their new-shiny vision as well (anybody who screwed up and made a mistake and regrets it is probably not going to tell you. I mean they could, but…)Remember, all that you are really looking to obtain is specific information and insight in order to draw a comparison and make a wise, logical choice. Do not be swayed by emotion from any of your sources.
- Resources
If you are switching to a lower-tier company, you must understand going in that they are lower-tier for a reason. They have challenges (which is why they are talking to you. They need you.) They may be waking up to these challenges, but you need to be prepared for what’s in store.
Anticipate a lack of resources, in all categories. Whether it is talent, technology, or paper clips, there is a very good chance they will be lacking in not only quantity but quality in areas you were used to having the best of.
In my case, I knew to expect this coming in (insider-information.) I just didn’t know it would be so bad!
My point is this: it can be extremely shocking and frustrating to enter into a new work-world where standards of operation have been so low for so long. Personally, I found out real quick how spoiled I had been working for #1 all those years. Talents and experience will truly come into play in order to make the difference you were hired for. You will shake your head and silently curse many, many times throughout the day.
- Earning Trust
Your new boss will be fired up, because he/she will feel they just scored a game-changing touchdown landing you. Congratulations for them. What you will be dealing with, though, is a group of existing employees who have been grinding it out for a while who will be shaking your hand and smiling as they harbor every emotion from doubt to distrust to resentment on the inside. Have fun with that.
What I learned: these people don’t give a tinkers-darn about any of your cool stories and prior accomplishments. What once moved and motivated team members and peers before is of very little value anymore.
Mountains you moved and diseases you cured for their biggest competitor (where more than a few of them at some point probably hoped or tried to hire on with but weren’t able to) does…not…impress them!
You will have to win them over another way. But you are good, and you will figure it out.
-The Safety-Net Is Gone
So, remember all those times before when you made a mistake, went out on a limb for something that didn’t necessarily work out so well, or just screwed the pooch in general? And because you had been around for so long, knew everybody downtown and they knew you, and were generally held in pretty high standing, a lot of good people had your back?
Yea, those days are gone. Think Davey Crocket at the Alamo on a Monday and you’re wearing the coonskin hat. The support system you had for so long, the relationships with bosses and peers you built throughout the years that you could call on, ask for advice, or save your bacon when needed, doesn’t exist anymore. Welcome to Fantasy Island. Smiles, everyone…
Chances are you’ll quickly build new nets. Just be ready to go it alone at first.
- Hammer-Time
As I did, you will want to hit the ground running and establish some success quickly. While you are running, just be prepared for some existing brick walls.
You may want to lay aside the sledge hammer for a moment and use some tact. Many of these brick walls, though old and without much current purpose, have been standing for a while, and people are accustomed to them. They were built by old-school masons who may still be hanging around somewhere. In the name of progress, these walls may indeed need to come down, but be patient. Remember that your new presence already has direct-reports nervous and on edge. Major changes to them can create more uncertainty and anxiety. And we all know what kind of performance that leads to…
- You Can’t Go Home Again
This is obvious, but worth mentioning. Yes, you may jump to the competitor, give it a go, and find out later it was a bad decision. And yes, your former company may, if you were that good and left on good terms, take you back.
But it’s rare.
I truly believe in listening to all reason, examining all sides and angles when weighing a decision as huge as this. I also believe in being realistic about the seriousness of this situation.
People may cry when you leave. They may throw you a party, bake you a cake, and take you out for drinks. This is a good thing.
Realize that when you are gone, you are gone. You must be willing to emotionally accept this. Once you turn in your key-card and that door closes behind you, you have burned your bridge, no matter what that little voice in the back of your mind says to the contrary.
As exciting as this new proposition may sound (and it is) recognize and appreciate all that you have invested in your current position, from tenure to relationships to benefits…If you were absolutely content with your present job, you would not be entertaining other offers, would you? You must ask yourself these vital questions:
“Do whatever challenges, frustrations, uncertainties I am facing currently that are causing me to peek over the fence, merit taking such a risk?”
“Will a bigger paycheck be worth all of the blood, sweat and tears I am about to pour out to help these new guys get the return on their investment (ME) that they will be expecting?”
“Am I willing to go all in, jump in feet first, and turn my back on X-amount of security for uncharted waters?”
If the answer is “YES” then all I can say is go for it. Walk in like no one else on Earth is more qualified and prepared to do this thing.
You were a hero once before. You can be again.
Just be realistic, and understand that you soon will not be in Kansas anymore, and regardless of how good you are, things are about to get very real up in here.
But that coonskin hat sure looks good on you…
