Dear Yogesh,

I'm employed by a major multinational corporation. I homeschooled, went to college early, and completed my undergraduate and master’s degrees in four years. This is to clarify how, at 30, I am a senior manager. Only those in HR are aware of my age.

At first, everything seemed incredible. Just mentioning my workplace elicited the "I'm impressed" look and lifted eyebrows. I fully embraced the training program and was fully invested in them. At the risk of seeming arrogant, I have developed into a highly effective manager. I know this since the business often gives us 360-degree feedback, and my team believes I can do everything right.

You may be wondering what the issue is now. Strangely, I am the only one who tries to put what we learn in our leadership training into practice. The more senior I get in the organization, the more obvious it becomes that the executives are only concerned with the stock price.

At the level I have achieved, leadership is all about getting the most out of the fewest people. Headcount is the term used to refer to individuals. Burnout and mental health problems are at alarmingly high levels. Values are merely for display, and profitability is the only factor that matters.

I finally realized it, but at this moment, I am entirely demoralized.

The last eight years of my life have been committed to this business. I have no life outside this business, and I've only now realized that I was duped into surrendering everything to the business equivalent of the death star.

What do I do?

Regards,
Aman

---

Dear Aman,

I apologize. This is a tremendous disappointment; the neurochemistry of unfulfilled expectations is crippling. Additionally, you are experiencing grief since, to use your own words, losing a dream is devastating.

Although I don't want to offend you, there is some excellent news to share. You're 30 years old. You are a young, unrestricted person. Although it is difficult to acknowledge, you have fallen into a hole of sorrow. You are pretty smart, and you already know I can't tell you what to do. Although, I can offer you some ideas to consider. Your first step is contacting a reputable coach or therapist to guide you through this challenging time because it will take some work to find your way out of this dark period.

You should reflect on what changed within you to affect your perspective on the world. What was it that kept you from seeing it sooner? What made you feel passionate about your work? What can you preserve and discard?

You always have a choice in the end.

You can choose to endure the circumstance as it is. Staying in the circumstance would undoubtedly result in severe depression because you cannot undo what you have already observed.

You can try to alter the circumstances. Is it unrealistic to believe you may stay and adjust the system from within? Continue to advance within the organization while changing the culture to reflect the stated values better. Although it seems unlikely, achieving that aim would be worthwhile. If you choose that course, you'll need to devise a plan for how you might do it and then figure out how to maintain strength as you carry it out.

You can go out of the circumstance and try to make one fresh. You should give your decision some serious thought. It sounds like you haven't taken a moment to breathe and consider the world outside your bubble in a very long time. You should take a lengthy break. Spend some time with your family. Take a short trip and explore the vast and lovely world.

Think about your goals and what you can accomplish with that enormous heart and brilliant mind. It may be simpler to recognize what you want now that you have seen what you don't want. Take a break, and then persevere through the subsequent vesting period.

You can think about all these choices and many more that I still need to consider with the appropriate assistance. I'm interested in finding out what you decide to do.

All the best,
Yogesh

Reference Link: The above is an adaptation of a blog written by MADELEINE HOMAN BLANCHARD on OCTOBER 29, 2022, https://resources.kenblanchard.com/blanchard-leaderchat/thoroughly-disillusioned-with-your-job-ask-madeleine