#leadershiprole #teammanagement #guilt #burnout #careerchange
Feeling Extreme Guilt: The Burden of Letting Your Team Down
As a seasoned leader who has relentlessly climbed the corporate ladder, you may have found yourself in a position where the weight of responsibilities feels unbearable. You’ve poured your heart and soul into building a successful team, only to reach a breaking point where the stress, unrealistic expectations, and lack of fair compensation have taken a toll on your well-being. The constant battles with top management, the endless juggling of multiple hats, and the relentless pursuit of higher sales targets have left you feeling burnt out and unappreciated.
The Pain of Resentment and Disillusionment
It’s understandable to feel a sense of disillusionment and resentment when your efforts are not acknowledged or compensated accordingly. The relentless pressure to deliver results, coupled with the feeling of being undervalued for your contributions, can create a toxic environment that erodes your passion and motivation. As you navigate through these challenges, it’s crucial to prioritize your mental and emotional well-being, even if it means making difficult decisions that may leave a lingering sense of guilt.
Exploring New Horizons: Embracing Change and Growth
Despite the emotional turmoil and guilt of leaving your leadership role, it’s essential to embrace the opportunity for personal growth and self-discovery. Pursuing your lifelong dream of obtaining an MBA with a full scholarship is a bold step towards a brighter future filled with new challenges and possibilities. By prioritizing your own well-being and professional development, you are setting a positive example for your team and demonstrating the importance of self-care and career fulfillment.
Overcoming Challenges: Finding Closure and Moving Forward
While the decision to transition out of your leadership role may evoke feelings of sadness and guilt, it’s crucial to remember that you are not alone in experiencing such challenges. By seeking support from peers, mentors, or online communities, you can gain valuable insights and perspectives from individuals who have faced similar dilemmas in their careers. Through open conversations and shared experiences, you can find closure, acceptance, and renewed enthusiasm for the opportunities that lie ahead.
Final Thoughts: Embracing Growth and Self-Compassion
In the face of extreme guilt and the fear of letting your team down, it’s essential to prioritize your own well-being, professional growth, and emotional resilience. By acknowledging your feelings, seeking support from trusted sources, and embracing change with a sense of optimism and self-compassion, you can navigate through this challenging transition with grace and confidence. Remember that your journey towards personal and professional fulfillment is a continuous process of growth, learning, and self-discovery.
I left my last job as a director at an MSP because the owner decided to change my comp plan “to something more fair” after he realized I was on track to hit all my targets, and wouldn’t you know it, “more fair” was about 50% less than we originally agreed. Easy decision, though i still miss my team.
Fear that if I did not make the move they were asking me that I would be fired or a victim of job elimination. I regret it every single day and I’m trying to get out lol.
I’ve had some managers leave for other roles and it ended up fucking me over, typically because the new manager was shit.
But I’ve never blamed them for leaving. They had their own lives and careers to think about.
Do what’s best for you. You can feel bad for your team *and* move onward.
I hated it. They asked me to try it interim, and if I didn’t like it, they’d go find somebody outside. It was just so much bullshit. I knew the team and what they could/couldn’t handle but I was still supposed to spend a bunch of time “supporting” them. Plus the fucking meetins… the number of meetings I had tripled. The vendor ones were bad but the internal ones were excruciating.
Everyone was surprised and seemed disappointed when I said “No” to doing it permanently.
I was tired of being a PM. I was on call 24/7 with no paid overtime. I ran the cases and diluted my compensation by working so many extra hours.
Dropped back to a lesser position and work less and make more.