There is no lonelier feeling in the corporate world than being on a client site, expected to be the "expert," and having no one to call for help.
Early in my career, I moved through a few jobs quickly, chasing a better salary. I eventually landed in a Professional Services role. If you know that world, you know the pressure. You are billed out at a high rate. The client expects you to know everything.
I joined a brand new department with a brand new manager. But I also joined with two colleagues I had worked with before. I thought, "Great, I have a network. We can support each other."
This thinking did not go the way I expected. My 2 colleagues had decided to work together by helping each other, but they decided they wouldn't help me. In fact, it felt like their mission was to make sure I didn't succeed.
I remember standing on a client site, facing a technical problem I couldn't solve. I tried to call them. Silence. They ignored me.
I tried to go to my manager, but he was new and blind to the toxic dynamic. I was completely on my own.
My upbringing taught me never to give up. So, I tried my best. I tried to keep my head above water, masking my panic in front of the client, working double-time to figure things out. But the stress was high. It started affecting my health. I was burnt out, anxious, and failing, no matter how hard I tried.
I eventually realized: You cannot succeed in a toxic environment. It doesn't matter how hard you work. I felt I had no chance of succeeding.
I had to make the hard decision to leave that role. I felt like I was giving up, but looking back, I was saving myself.
Here is the lesson I learned the hard way:
Before you join a team, look at the dynamics. Assess the job and who you'll be working with.
You cannot survive in this industry without allies. If you are isolated, you are vulnerable. Make a great effort to network.
Walking away from a situation that is destroying your health isn't failure. It's self-preservation. What matters the most is you!
Don't let your "refusal to give up" keep you in a place that is tearing you down. Know when to throw in the towel (boxing match concept to stop the fight)
Have you ever had to leave a job because of a toxic culture or unsupportive colleagues?
#GetNoticed #GetPromoted #GetPaid
Sarfraz.
P.S. If my story resonates and you feel like you're on a long, winding road without a clear map, let's change that.
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