By Sunny Simon
Clients going through the job interviewing process often want to skip to the bottom line by exploring a number of what’s if’s. I respond by advising there is no decision to be made until an offer is on the table. When that exciting day arrives and HR has proposed employment, we talk.
Yesterday a young executive client arrived at that crossroad offer in hand. We spoke at great length weighing all the pros and cons. At his level there was more to consider than annual salary, working conditions and vacation time. The pressing question was should he leave a position he has only been in for one month. A lucrative total compensation package was attached to the new offer however; it involved taking a step backward in his career path. Additionally, accepting the proposal meant saying adios to his current employer who had given him flexibility and a chance to grow his career in a thriving culture. After dealing with the emotional impact of the job offer, we both knew the decision came down to his level of integrity. He wisely turned down the new offer knowing it was the right thing to do.
Loyalty in an age of downsizing, sell-offs and short-term gains may seem like old school thinking. Obviously, pension plans and gold watch ceremonies are no longer the norm. Allegiance on both sides of the table is often fleeting in today’s business environment. Sweeping aside the lack of loyalty on the part of corporate entities, at the end of the day decision making has much to do with who we are and our value system. My client, a man who values integrity and honors his word, was not blinded by the bucks. He knew that leaving his job was akin to tossing aside a new bride for a flirtation with an attractive woman equipped with a bigger bankroll. Sometimes the numbers just don’t add up.
Whether you are selecting a new employer, entering a business deal or committing to a personal relationship, stay true to your personal value system. Bright shiny new objects can be tempting and very distracting. If you are having trouble making a decision, do some soul searching, engage a coach or trusted advisor to help you work through to the bottom line. Having the courage to say no means letting that sparkling object pass you by leaving you free, honor intact and devoid of any guilt. Senator Alan K. Simpson summed it up this way, “If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don’t have integrity, nothing else matters.”
Sunny Simon is the owner of Raise the Bar High Life and Career Coaching. More about Sunny at www.raisethebarhigh.com
