August 1, 2012

Career Q&A: Disillusioned boss wants out

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By Joyce E.A. Russell / Special to The Washington Post
Q: I’m truly getting sick of being in a managerial position of having to promote/enforce/talk up policies and positions of senior management that blatantly scream “We’re being cheap and making your lives harder so we can pocket more money yet only give you cost-of-living increases, if that.” I really want to start my own business, but I am scared it will fail or never leave the ground.

A: I can understand your frustrations about what you are doing versus what you feel you are getting in return. Remember though: Few people just jump out into entrepreneurial work. Instead of thinking of quitting your current job and starting your own firm all at one time, you might think about researching what you would want your venture to be, getting feedback on it, getting any capital you might need, and so forth before you actually leave your company. It’s often a good idea to be starting a new business while you still have some security in your life.

Are there smaller types of entrepreneurial work you could do to give yourself more experience with your own venture? I have known people who set up and ran those kiosks in malls for a year before starting their own larger business.

Also, get some feedback on your own skills for being an entrepreneur before you start out. It’s important to know your own strengths and weaknesses, and make sure you have a partner or assistant who complements your skills.

Joyce E.A. Russell is the director of the Executive Coaching and Leadership Development Program at the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business. She is a licensed industrial and organizational psychologist.

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Career Advice, featured, management, self-employment, startups

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