The answer is normally, Yes.
Changing roles is not easy, especially if you are good at it; sometimes, we get stereotyped for a role; let’s say you are a construction manager & you are good at it, but you want to do procurement.
Or maybe you are a lead engineer, and you want to become an Engineering manager.
Or maybe you work in Maintenance, and you want to work on designing green field projects.
Sometimes you need to take TIME OUT from your typical role to go sideways and advance in a new direction.
Sometimes we are forced out, or we quit.
I have seen people do all the above, and It’s not always a pleasant feeling, but you know you need to do it.
We all say we like change until we have to do it, and then the question comes up, HOW?
Firstly, make sure you understand it takes TIME and a plan.
Do not rush your answers but plan, do the short courses to help you believe it’s possible.
Ask others about how they did it or get a coach.
But the main reason we like change is for Variety we want a change from the mundane role and responsibilities we normally have
So before leaping, be careful not to take it to the point of failure, monitor yourself with self-checks and get out of the role before you fail mentally or leave without pay etc
Consider taking a lessor role that allows you to relax and recalibrate, sometimes it takes many months, and sometimes you do not go back to the old ways, but that’s ok!
All the best, Mark Healy, the Graduate Coach
If you want help, contact me about the GAP program
