If you want to change your career, there will be some transition costs. You need to invest in some small mistakes. If you decide to negotiate a similar arrangement with your employer, look for synergies and be open to experimentation. A win-win situation can be compelling to your employer, who will then be more open to trying to find a solution, claims the knowledge.insead.edu website.
The lawyer who didn’t make partner
A London-based lawyer was absolutely devastated after being told that she would not make partner. After years of putting everything she had into the firm, the lawyer was exhausted and felt she was really ready to quit. She wanted to become a yoga instructor. She needed something fulfilling. It was important that she could do something in which she could take advantage of her valuable legal talents. A job for an NGO in the legal field would be a great solution.
Negotiations with her company helped her to better understand what she actually wanted. Her superiors didn’t like letting go of such a skilled lawyer. There weren't many senior women, and diversity was an important topic for the company and was strongly promoted internally.
More pro bono work
The lawyer eventually realized that she didn’t need to leave. She just wanted to spend more time working pro bono. The result of the negotiations was an arrangement that the lawyer would work eight months per year for the firm and mentor younger female lawyers. Then there would be a one-month-long vacation and the remaining three months she would work for an NGO on her company’s behalf. She would therefore promote the company’s pro bono agenda and receive her full salary.
Therefore, before you decide to leave your current employer, try to discuss a possible change with your superiors. You may be surprised how interesting solutions can be found.
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