The resignation of Dave Lewis as CEO of Tesco took many by surprise this week. Much lauded for his turnaround of the business during extremely challenging times, his decision to leave was unexpected.  Even more unusual is his statement that he isn’t going on to his next big job but instead “I am going to take some proper time out, recharge the batteries and think about what comes next”.

Lewis has demonstrated the ultimate in taking control of his career, leaving at a time of his choosing and having the luxury of time off before deciding his next steps on his own terms. How many of us would be able to do the same thing?
 
There are several things that you can do to take control – these are just some of them:
 
FINANCIAL PLANNING
 
Realistically, what prevents most people from taking similar action to Dave Lewis is financial constraint. It’s estimated that the majority of people in work have reserves equivalent to around one month’s salary so any planned job change, or even unanticipated job loss, has an immediate financial impact that restricts options.
 
Everyone’s approach to financial management is different and of course circumstances vary enormously, but the key to having choice in your career is not to feel bound to continue in a role just because you think can’t afford to leave. It may take time, but building a reserve of at least 3 months but preferably 6 months’ salary equivalent, transforms your ability to control your career choices. Working out exactly what you need to live on, understanding what it actually costs you to be at work ( travel, clothing, lunches etc.) and exploring ways to reduce your outgoings temporarily ( mortgage holidays, cancelling subscriptions, entertaining etc.), are all important considerations. This may be a tough thing to do, but if you can do it, then you will significantly increase your ability to move forward and make pro-active career choices.
 
DON’T LET YOUR JOB DEFINE YOU
 
Often, employees follow a career path and develop their skills based on what the company needs, rather than focusing on their natural strengths and the things they enjoy most. Most organisations assign tasks based on business needs and priorities and make only a superficial assessment of an employee’s capabilities or motivation to fulfil a role. This can lead to people struggling or even failing, but frequently, it also leads to people continuing in a role for which they can fulfil the basic requirements, but actually have limited interest in. This is how careers just roll on until, one day, you realise that you actually never intended to take this career path and you don’t enjoy it.
 
Being self-aware and understanding your strengths and – more importantly - what you enjoy and your personal values, is a critical step in taking control of your career. It’s rare that your company will do this for you so take responsibility yourself. There are many simple online assessment tools that can help, or speak to a trusted colleague or mentor. Being clear about who you are, what you are good at, what you need to learn and what doesn’t work for you, is the catalyst to being in control of your career and identifying your ideal job.
 
TAKE RISKS TO MOVE FORWARD
 
When Dave Lewis went to Tesco, many couldn’t understand why he would leave an already highly successful career at Unilever, to join the troubled retail giant. The baptism of fire he experienced in his early months, when Tesco went through their accounting scandal, must have left him wondering if he’d done the right thing. Even in a traditional career, with a clear path, it’s vital to extend yourself by taking risks. Taking on roles or projects that are just outside your comfort zone, or expose you to new situations, enables you to learn rapidly and demonstrates that you are willing to stretch yourself. This increases the range of career opportunities open to you, as you can provide evidence of your ability to grow into a role and so won’t be trapped into only being considered for roles that are similar to those you’ve done previously.
 
EXTEND YOUR CONNECTIONS
 
It’s vital to continually get out in the market to meet peers and make new connections. Broadening your knowledge and your horizons is important if you are to avoid the trap of becoming too inwardly focused in a corporate or industry “bubble” and in helping you to define new career paths and options. Read blogs and articles, or listen to podcasts to learn more, or seek out differing viewpoints.
 
Don’t neglect your network connections. Most people find their next career opportunity via their network so investing time to continually build and maintain it is a smart move if you want to remain in control of your career. Seeking advice, perspective and ideas from mentors and peers can transform your ideas about options open to you for your next career move.
 
NEVER STOP LEARNING
 
Don’t expect the company to take responsibility for your professional development. If you are lucky they will help, but it’s up to you to invest in yourself, it can be as simple as a seminar you attend after hours, or a podcast you listen to while you commute. It’s critical to invest in your own skills development, whether by making the ROI case to encourage your employer to support you with a qualification, or by identifying the skills gaps that will hold you back from your preferred next external move and taking action to address. Consider working with a professional career coach who can give you independent objective advice and guidance that is highly tailored to your situation and goals. Many highly successful business leaders use coaching as an essential tool in their career development so if you want to accelerate your learning and your performance find the right coach.
 
KNOW WHEN TO LEAVE
 
Dave Lewis has demonstrated the ultimate in controlling his career by saying  “I believe that the tenure of a chief executive is a finite one and now is the time to pass the baton.”  Being true to yourself is critical. Whether you feel that you have accomplished what you set out to do – as in Lewis’s case – or you’ve realised that you no longer enjoy your role, it’s critical to be honest with yourself and take action.
 
Sometimes a decision to leave can take time; you may ignore an inner voice telling you the uncomfortable truth that you should move on, for a long time. In the end though, resigning well can be a great career move and one you should always have plans in place for if you want to retain the ultimate control over your own career.
 
Get in touch to find out how Working Transitions can support you to manage your career.