Should I quit my job or stay?
The short answer
Stay if the job is fixable and you haven't asked for what you need. Quit if you've asked twice and nothing changed, or if staying means becoming someone you don't respect.
Signals to weigh
- 01Have you told your manager exactly what has to change? Most people haven't.
- 02Is the pain about the role, the manager, the company, or the industry? Fix maps differently.
- 03Are you underpaid by 15%+ vs market? That's a leverage problem, not a leaving problem.
- 04What does your calendar say — are you doing work that compounds or work that drains?
How to decide
- Step 1Run a pre-mortem on both paths: imagine it's a year later and it went badly. What broke?
- Step 2Ask for the change once, clearly, in writing. Give a 30-day window.
- Step 3If nothing moves, start interviewing — you're gathering information, not committing.
- Step 4Compare offers to your current role on total comp, growth, and manager quality — not title.
Framework used
Pre-Mortem →Full walkthrough of the framework, with examples and pitfalls.
Consider these alternatives
- ·A quiet 3-month internal search while you keep the paycheck.
- ·A structured sabbatical to reset before deciding.
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