Why didn't you spend more than a year at so many jobs?

I recently crossed into my 30s, and with it came another layoff. 2024 truly began with a bang.

I've been at seven jobs over the last nine years. And one of the questions I've been asked quite often is why did you not stay at a company for more than 14 months?

I prepared a standard answer– I didn't see growth. And then went on to elaborate the same.

But now I think there is a different answer to this. As a 90s kid, I think we have seen the most significant transformation in humankind. We went from a workforce that thought work was life to one at the forefront of a power struggle to strike a work-life balance.

Naturally, I grew up as an advocate for work-life balance. And yet, I sense a shift in my ideology. No longer can I advocate for work-life balance. That doesn't mean I don't support it, but that's a discussion for another post.

I think today that if you have the right environment and a job you love, you tend to stick around.

That's what happened in my last two stints. At Slintel, I fell in love with my team and the company. I loved my work, and it truly brought out my best. But I got laid off in 2022 after 14 months. The entire marketing team suffered from it.

Then I joined another SaaS startup, and guess what? Even though I was one of the best performers there, I couldn't escape another round of layoffs. And I was wiped off.

But, let's not diverge.

Why do I move so much?

Well, I think I have a way better answer now.

I don't move because there isn't any growth. I moved because I saw failed leadership. I don't get work that's good or makes a difference. And in most cases, I leave the manager and not the company.

See empathy, motivation and backing each other up best to retain your talent. Also, you need to provide enough financial incentive to stay periodically, but I think the prime focus should be identifying someone's strengths and help them utilize it for their work.

If orgs fail to do that, it's only a matter of months before your new employee goes out looking for greener pasture.