You work at a company. The CEO makes a decision that directly or indirectly affects you. You disagree with the decision. What do you do about that?
As always, I’m concerned about the well-being of folks doing the work. And if this is a Big Change there’s a good chance it will impact your mental or emotional health. I’m talking fairly fundamental things here. This isn’t “we’re switching brands of toilet paper”. This is Return To Office. This is canceling benefits. This is starting a business relationship with unsavory partners. Big stuff. Values stuff.
Not everybody thinks about their values. Which is bad. But we can usually get a sense for when there’s a major misalignment between our values and those of the company. So what’s changed here? What is it about the new contract that doesn’t sit well with you? When you started at the company last quarter, last year, last decade – you thought it was a place that agreed with what’s most important to you. And now it looks like that’s not true. Maybe the CEO has changed. Or the business has. Or you have. And those are all OK. Change happens. Regardless, it’s important to understand the problem space.
Whatever the reason, there’s a values misalignment now. And trying to live with that, trying to just blinder yourself and do the work is not good for you. The damage you’ll take from remaining in a situation like that is not worth whatever you perceive as the upside. You’re rocketing yourself toward burnout.
“The salary is good.”
“I like the people I work with.”
“I need the benefits.”
Not worth it. When it’s your values? It’s not worth it.
Now I fully grasp that this sounds like a typically privileged stance. “Just work somewhere else!” Maybe that’s a viable option where you live, but here in the States it’s not that easy. Even for cishet white dudes – the people for whom the system is designed – it’s hard. Any period of unemployment means an even more tenuous grip on healthcare. It means a resume gap you have to explain in future interviews. I get it. So don’t leap into this. But don’t let any of those factors frighten you away from doing something that is right for you on the most fundamental level.
But maybe you’re in a really fortunate place. Maybe you’re at a small enough company where can actually talk to the CEO. Fabulous. I suggest considering that. They may need to have input like yours. They may need another perspective they haven’t entertained. Before you send a Slack or knock on their door, though, be aware this may be a career threatening move in many orgs. It’s likely to still be at-will de-employment. Even if you’re under the protection of an employment contract, there are still ways a company can make your life more miserable without doing anything technically illegal. Sadly we have yet to get rid of all the misguided leaders out there who believe in “managing someone out.”
It might not come to that though. Sure something negative might come from talking to an executive. But what if it all works out? What if you make them aware of an impact they hadn’t thought of, and it brings about positive change? That’s worth it, right?
So…eyes open. Be aware. But also don’t be afraid of doing what’s right for you.