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Am I in the wrong job, or do I just need more time to grow?
If you’re feeling overwhelmed at work, struggling after a promotion, or questioning your career fit, I want to help you answer that question without letting one difficult stretch define your professional worth.
In this episode of The Mid-Career GPS Podcast, I explore what happens when a job’s demands exceed your current skills, preparation, or support. I use a highly visible workplace example to examine a situation many mid-career professionals experience privately: feeling capable and accomplished, yet unprepared for what a role requires.
Being uncomfortable does not automatically mean you’ve made the wrong career move. I explain how to distinguish a normal learning curve from a specific skills gap, a lack of resources or authority, and a deeper job mismatch. Understanding the difference can help you make a clearer decision about your leadership development, your next career conversation, and whether to stay or begin a job search.
I also unpack the “curse of the high performer” and why success in one position does not guarantee readiness for the next. If a promotion has left you questioning your abilities, I share how to replace harsh self-talk with an honest assessment of what you need to succeed.
In this episode, I discuss:
- How to tell the difference between new-job anxiety, a learning curve, and poor career fit.
- What to consider when planning your first 30, 60, 90, and 180 days in a role.
- How to identify the skills, feedback, resources, and decision-making authority you need.
- Why high performers can struggle after a promotion.
- How to acknowledge mistakes and ask for help before problems grow.
- Three paths forward: stay and develop, renegotiate the role, or plan your exit.
- Why honesty on your resume and in job interviews matters.
- Three fill-in-the-blank prompts to help you start a productive career conversation this week.
If you’re dissatisfied with your job but hesitant to make a move in a challenging job market, I want to help you evaluate your options with greater career clarity. You may need a development plan, a conversation about expectations, or a thoughtful exit strategy. I walk through how to begin identifying the path that fits your situation.
Work With Me
If you’re ready to strengthen your leadership, navigate a career transition, or find a job you love, I’d welcome a conversation about how coaching can help. Learn more about working with me at johnneral.com/workwithme.
Support the show
If this episode resonated with you and you want more support in how you SHOW UP for your career and life, there are two ways we can work together.
Learn more about my SHOW UP Leadership Lab, my monthly membership program, at https://www.johnneral.com/showup
If you would like to learn more about how I can help you as your leadership and career coach, visit https://www.johnneral.com/workwithme.
Get John's free weekly leadership and career newsletter at https://www.johnneral.com/the-mid-career-gps-newsletter
Other ways we can connect:
- Connect with John on LinkedIn here.
- Get John's books on Amazon here.
- Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching.
- Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.
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This podcast is listed in Feedspot's Top 90 Best Executive Career Podcasts.
https://podcast.feedspot.com/executive_career_podcasts/
