Everything is always peaches and cream when you start a job. Optimism is brimming. You feel appreciated (or should), and the sky is the limit. But often (or eventually), reality sets in, the culture becomes toxic, teammate's self-interest puts their priorities over "the team," and you sense that your job security has evaporated. You need an "Exit Strategy" and it's better to have one before someone else does it for you, vis a vis, you are fired, laid off, or put on a PIP (Performance Improvement Plan) - even if you don't deserve it. Enter the "Exit Strategy," which may include a horizontal shift (function change), vertical change (promotion, or, yikes, a demotion), or a move to a different company entirely (by your efforts, or the gentle nudge of being layed off - nothing a healthy severance package won't cure). Change is good. Every time I've had a traumatic (i.e., forced) job change, I have always come out the better (higher salary, better title, better company, 6 months of severance pay, etc.). Share your voluntary or involuntary job exit anecdotes or perilous current situation, and we'll crowdsource the best solution so you can come out on top!