Taking Control of Your Career

Yesterday's post was about looking for a new job while you are employed. This post is about why we are looking for new work.

DDI conducted a survey last summer Pulse of the Workforce and declares that our workforce is stagnant. Here is one of the questions they asked:

44% will be leaving when the economy improves. What can be done to fix this? None of us really want to look for a new job.

It would be easier to stay where we are and make the situation better. But do companies understand this? Do we really understand that the grass isn't always greener on the other side? Your new mindset is that you are in control of your career. It is not your employer's responsibility or obligation to provide you with challenging work, though that would be nice. Their responsibility is to operate a profitable business right now.

Dan Pink's book "Drive The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us" is hot. Actually, anything Pink writes is hot. Sital Ruparelia's post quickly summarizes some of Pink's key points and includes an interview with Pink.

Pink points out in his interview that what truly motivates workers are these 3 simple things:

1. Autonomy
2. Mastery
3. Purpose

If you are in the 44% of those considering a job change, what is it that you are searching for? What improvements are you looking for in your work environment? Will you know them when you see them? Are you willing to take control and/or responsibility for your engagement and satisfaction in your next job?