Many long-time readers of this site know I recently celebrated my 20th anniversary serving pastors, church leaders, and marketplace leaders with INJOY Stewardship Solutions. But there was a 15-month time during this tenure when I worked for another like-minded organization. During that time, I learned a lot, developed a life-long friendship, helped countless leaders, and developed skills I still use to this day.
But there were many other things which were a struggle. No matter what position you hold, there are so many non-obvious things you must learn at a new job. Some of the which were the following for me:
- New personalities.
- Body language.
- What people enjoy talking about vs. what makes them glaze over or roll their eyes.
- What people consider funny vs. what people find offensive.
- What people celebrate vs. what they don’t.
- Who the influencers are.
- Do you have any influence?
- How coaching and feedback are delivered… if at all.
- Other than KPIs, how to know if you are doing a good job or not.
- What is celebrated.
- What is in place to make you successful.
- What questions are considered good questions vs. “Are you kidding me? Can you believe he asked that?”
- What is considered initiative vs. assumption and “That’s not how we do things around here.”
Even for the most experienced individual, it takes a high level of emotional and relational intelligence to navigate new jobs.
It is often said the grass is not always greener on the other side. In fact, you may actually have a good thing going on right where you currently are. To prove my point, allow me to introduce you to former English footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips and a malady called the Shaun Wright-Phillips Syndrome.
Wright-Phillips showed tremendous potential in his teens and early-twenties playing for Manchester City. In fact, Wright-Phillips was so talented he won four consecutive Manchester City’s Young Player of the Year awards from 2000 to 2003. Wright-Phillips came up through the organization. He was in an environment where he was cared for, brought out the best of him, and allowed him to perform at his highest level. There was mutual investment there. Wright-Phillips was so happy he indicated he would never leave.
But then money and “opportunity” came calling.
In 2005, Wright-Phillips signed a big-money contract with Chelsea. But it was then his career took a sharp downturn. Wright-Phillips was highly-compensated but did not have the organizational support system he needed to be successful. Within three years, Wright-Phillips had fallen out of favor with his manager and the club. He was then allowed to leave the squad.
Wright-Phillips would have been better off making less money but remaining in a more ideal culture for him.
No job is perfect but if you are in a situation where you are successful and systems are in place to ensure your ongoing success, be very, very careful about leaving it for more money or “opportunity”. You may receive increased income but over time your influence will be dramatically reduced. It will not be worth it. Frustration and failure will be your constant companions.
If this happens, you have become a victim of the Shaun Wright-Phillips Syndrome. Chase culture, not money.
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