Wingspouse Blog

Sometimes leaders want to move on. Many times, they see the writing on the wall; their job will soon be gone and they want to be proactive. Other times, they are just not happy. While some of the reasons for being discontent are not in your control, some of them are. If you really like where you are and want to stay there as long as possible, minimize the risks of a move however you can. Here are some ways you can impact common reasons executives become unhappy.

1. Don’t make money an issue. Be content with what you have and let your spouse know you’re happy. Compensation is a big reason some executives leave voluntarily.
2. Be a sounding board if your spouse expresses concerns about his position or the company. Encourage him to explore ways he might rectify the situation, and let him know you’re willing to help any way you can.
3. Minimize stress anywhere you can. Make it easy to go to work and come home. Stress is not only miserable, it’s dangerous to one’s health!
4. Be flexible to enable family time whenever possible. Successfully having work family balance goes a long way.
5. Build a good rapport with the people who work with your spouse. Be likable. Poor work relationships were cited as one of the  top ten reasons executives become dissatisfied.

Addressing these points won’t guarantee a longer stay, but it may make a difference. It certainly will benefit you both. Final word of advice, though, is know when to give it up. If your partner insists it’s time to move on, trust that decision. There may be more to it than you will ever know. The environment may be hostile… He may be in over his head… Financials may paint a bleak picture that can’t be discussed… There may be temptations too great to ignore… Some things are out of your control.

Related Articles:
Job Satisfaction Climbs During Downturn
Top Reasons Why Executives Leave