Thinking of Quitting? The Retention Plan Only You Can Write

Have you reached a point in your career where you're wondering how much longer you can keep doing this?Maybe you're exhausted, carrying too much, or waiting for things to get better. Maybe you've started looking at other jobs and wondering if leaving is the only way to feel like yourself again.I've been there. After 25 years in corporate America, more than 14 reorganizations, and 7 relocations, I know what it's like to navigate the demands of a corporate career. And while leaving was the right decision for me in 2021, I've learned that leaving isn't always the only option. Sometimes, what you need is a different plan.In this final episode of The Leadership Reset series, I'm bringing together everything we've explored about team stress, putting work where it belongs, and directing your ambition toward what truly matters. I'll walk you through how to take an honest inventory of your current role, reconnect with your strengths, identify what needs to change, and consider whether you can redesign your work before deciding to leave.Because you are more than your title, your paycheck, or the work you do. You have more agency than you may realize, and you deserve to build a role that allows you to thrive rather than simply get through another day.3 Key Takeaways1. Leaving isn't always the only option.When you're exhausted, it's easy to believe that a new company or a completely different career is the answer. But before making that decision, take an honest look at what's happening. Sometimes the problem isn't the entire role or organization; it's the way you're working, the expectations you're carrying, or the responsibilities that no longer fit.2. Take an inventory of what is and isn't working.Ask yourself two important questions: Is the job right for me? Am I right for the job? Look at what energizes you, where you're uniquely qualified to contribute, what work doesn't belong to you, and what needs to change. A “no” doesn't automatically mean you need to leave. It may mean your role needs to be redesigned.3. Your agency and joy live inside your hula hoop.You can't control every organizational decision, your title, or how other people perceive you. But you can influence how you show up, what you prioritize, which relationships and expectations need resetting, and where you focus your energy. Start with the changes within your control and build a plan that allows you to do your best work.🔎 Mentioned in the Episode:The Hula Hoop Theory – Lori's framework for understanding what you can and cannot control. Your choices, priorities, identity, and approach to your work live inside your hula hoop.The Leadership Reset Series – This four-part series explores team stress, putting work where it belongs, directing ambition toward what matters, and building a personal blueprint for a more sustainable leadership role.Personal Retention Plan – A practical approach to identifying what needs to change in your current role so you can continue to grow and thrive rather than automatically deciding to leave.Zone of Genius and Superpowers – Understanding the work you love, the strengths you bring, and the areas where your experience makes you uniquely qualified to contribute.Deloitte and Gartner Leadership Research – Lori references research on executive turnover intentions and well-being to illustrate how widespread the struggle to remain in demanding leadership roles has become.✨ Reflection Prompts:Is the job right for me? Am I right for the job?What parts of my role energize me, and what parts leave me feeling depleted?What work am I doing that doesn't belong to me, or that someone else may be better suited to handle?What do I want to keep the same about my role, and what do I need to let go of?Which relationships, expectations, or responsibilities need to be reset before I decide to leave?🧠 Who This Episode Is For:Women in senior corporate roles who are quietly wondering how much longer they can keep this upLeaders who love what they've built and want to stay, just not like thisThe woman everyone counts on to hold it all together, who has started to wonder what holds her 📩 Want to Go Deeper?Follow Lori on LinkedIn or Instagram at @loripine to continue the conversation.Visit loripine.com to learn more about Lori's coaching, retreats, and ways to work together.🎧 Subscribe to The Joy CEO Podcast.⭐️ Leave a five-star review to help other heart-centered leaders find the show.📲 Share this episode with a leader who is wondering whether leaving is the only way forward.