Prior to the recession there was a serious war for talent.  It was really challenging to find great people and to keep them working for your company because you were too busy to fully engage them.

According to recent survey results in Workforce Management magazine, 87 percent of people surveyed plan to change jobs this year.  Now the economy is stronger, so whether you own your company or just work for a gargantuan enterprise like HP, should you make a job change?

Let me share my recent experience.  To make the most of the improvement in the economy I have talked with a number of companies about partnering together, merging or even being acquired.  I am like you.  I bring value to a company.  I like to be a catalyst for positive change based on my experience, knowledge, intellectual property and network of contacts. 

Before you jump to another company, first consider why you are here in the first place. 

Here is a quick list to consider. 

1.  What are the three aspects of your job that make your work meaningful to you? 

2.  Are you spending enough time on that work versus other activities?  If not, why not, and how can you get back to doing what you love without spending money from your budget?

3.  Specifically, list how your company benefits from you doing meaningful work.  How does it create higher productivity, higher profits, lower costs, happier customers, positive news or help your company in other ways?

4.  When you are working doing what you love to do, what is your career path at your existing company for the next 3-5 years?  Just write a simple outline if you do not already have a career path defined. 

Most people find it is not about new titles and higher compensation, but learning, growing, serving and making a bigger impact.

5.  If, like me, you have resurrected what is most important to you, then give yourself 30 days to write a one-page 2010 plan to refocus on what is most meaningful to you in a way that is clear and measurable.  Rather than make a career move outside of your company, consider making one inside of your company.

Again, my suggestion applies whether you are a part-time worker, an experienced manager or an executive with significant responsibilities.  Take the time to define how the balance of this year can be memorable in a positive way.  There will still be plenty of good jobs available going into 2011 if you still want to make a move (and the economy holds-up).

This may be a very important process for you to complete so that the rest of your life is the best of your life.

Be an intentional leader.

MEETING IDEAS

Should You Merge is about thinking carefully before leaving the security of your job for another opportunity.  Sometimes your employer is so broken that you have to make a move.  Other times the "broken" is with us and we need to move ourselves back into what energized us to peak performance in the past.

Rather than suggest group meeting ideas, I encourage you to do the following:

1.  If you are a boss, not only do the above exercise yourself, but also do a Listen More retention interview with your direct reports asking them these questions.  GET THE ANSWERS.  Anyone who cannot answer is a flight risk - they may be about to leave your company and they are not fully engaged. 

2.  Complete the exercise above on your own so by the end of April you have a plan for the balance of the year.  Since the economy is improving you have an ideal time to test a new or revitalized approach to achieving meaning in your work.  Before you make a move, first give your current employer everything you have got.  The odds are you may find leveraging your existing work environment, team and clients can get you where you want to be faster than making a career move.