Why Creative Smart People Quit Crappy Jobs

Let's be real. Most corporations suck.

Traditional school of thought advises us to simply find a stable employer and settle for a stable paycheck, whether the job meshes with our interests or not. After all, these are hard times, right? Take what you can get and stop complaining, right?

Wrong, son.

Life is too short to settle for an ordinary gig that bores us to death for 8 hours (or more) in a 24-hour day. That's just bad ROI.

Far too many employers undervalue the creative talents and diverse interests of their employees. And unfortunately, the corporation, along with creative professionals employed by them, suffer as a result.

Whose Side Are You On?

Granted, many workers are content doing the same type of work each and every day, squaring up at the end of two weeks to collect their paycheck, and repeating this cycle while anxiously planning the 2-week vacation they're offered every 52 weeks. Better use it or lose it.

Mind you, this is a cool disposition, I suppose, if one is content with it.

But for you and I - that's some bull!

We Don't Die, We Multiply

Skillology-type individuals, whom I'll just refer to as skillologists, are entrepreneurial at heart.

Spoiled? Not in the least. Set with high expectations? Now you understand.

Ultimately, we may be inclined to start our own businesses at some point. However, we don't mind necessarily working for others while taking the long-term approach towards nurturing our business ventures on the side. But, here's the thing. We want our work to be somewhat meaningful, to stimulate our minds, and to utilize our creative, diverse talents.

It's actually a win-win, believe it or not.

We're extremely resourceful, always on the quest for knowledge, highly creative, and most importantly, driven, particularly when challenged. As a result, we're generally capable of delivering value in any role we serve. Regardless of the knowledge and experience currently on hand, we find ways to solve problems.

It's the challenge we live for. We're ideas people. We make things happen. And we pimp solutions. We get the big picture of the organization's mission. And we're curious. "Hmm, what if we tried this?"

But Where's The Love?

If only our bosses were more aware or appreciative of this potential. If only we were provided cross-functional opportunities to keep us interested and engaged. If only our feedback on the business as a whole were solicited more often. If only...

When's vacation again?

Instead, many employers confine their workers to narrowly defined roles. Worse, some deliberately construct policy-laden obstacles and promote insanely dry, status-quo cheering managers to choke us of innovative ideas, feedback, and expression.

Personality? Not allowed.

Creative thinking? You're out of order, mister!

These type of corporations aren't too receptive to their worker's creative resourcefulness or input that attempts to color outside of the lines for the sake of personal and organizational improvement.

Agents of stagnation!

In fact, managers at a majority of corporations resent the skillology-minded individual who respectfully challenges the status quo, who attempts to take initiative, and who seeks greater challenge. They view us as threatening loose canons intent on ushering mutiny, rather than as change agents capable of providing added organizational value.

But There's Hope? Word.

A truly high-performing organization with a stimulating work environment and smart leadership brass, takes a different approach.

Believe it or not, not all corporations suck. It's true. I've observed a few. Rare as an articulate Sarah Palin speech, though.

But these corporations - these high-performing organizations, they take great pride in recruiting skillology-minded professionals. And here's the nice surprise. You ready? They even encourage the ingenuity we bring with us.

I couldn't believe it either.

They realize the importance of innovation without simply giving it lip service or sending cliche "Be Innovative" staff memos ever so often. They empower their workers, truly; giving them part ownership, monetarily or symbolically (we'll take it), in the company at large. They actively develop their employees' talents by providing professional training. And, they incentivize personal growth.

Working for these corporations feels... enterprising.

Like whoa, right?

You may be asking, where can I sign up?

But I can't just give the farm away all at once now can I? This is the first of several planned posts to the series that will include interviews with working professionals and managers employed by these high-performing, Skillology-approved organizations.

So, stay tuned. It gets better like a new Lost episode.

In the meantime, friends, my advice for you is to never settle.

Recognize numero uno that you have great value, and thus many options. Play the field. And if you must work a traditional 9-to-5 in the short-term, find an untraditional and exceptional corporation that's aligned with your interests, that rewards your Skillology-minded school of thought, and that's worth your valuable time in this short span of existence we call life.

What are your thoughts?

Join the discussion over at the Forums.