One of the most common questions I hear from leaders I coach is, “Should I move on?” followed closely by, “How do I know when it’s time?” These are rarely simple decisions. Often, the role still looks good on paper, but something deeper signals it may no longer be the right fit.

Many of us join an association because the mission inspires us, the team energizes us, and the work challenges us. But over time, things shift. The organization changes. Your priorities evolve. What once felt fulfilling may begin to feel off.

So how do you know when it’s time to move on?

This isn’t about chasing titles or walking away at the first sign of frustration. It is about recognizing when your energy, values, and contributions no longer match your current role. It is also about being open to what’s possible if you explore something new.

The Signs Often Start With the People Around You

Sometimes, the earliest clues come from people who know you well. A family member, mentor, or friend may notice patterns before you fully acknowledge them.

Rhea Steele, FASAE, CAE, chief of staff & vice president, governance & strategy at the School Nutrition Association, encourages professionals to listen to those trusted voices. “The people who know you best notice recurring patterns,” she says. “If you have been ruminating on the same issues for a while, they may be the first to notice that it’s time to explore something new.”

When your default response becomes complaining or frustration, it may be a sign that you no longer feel able to drive change and are instead feeling stuck or stalled.

Support from others may also come as a gentle push, even if you’re still on the fence.

Tori Miller Liu, MBA, FASAE, CAE, president and CEO of the Association for Intelligent Information Management, says, “People in your corner will often nudge you toward that next big step. They see your potential even when you may not be quite ready to claim it."

These conversations might take the form of a thoughtful question or a powerful show of belief. Do not dismiss them. They often carry the momentum needed to rethink your direction.

Life Interruptions Can Lead to New Opportunities

Sometimes a career shift follows an unexpected life event or a deliberate pause. For Leakhena Swett, president of the International Liquid Terminals Association, a family move became a turning point.

“I took a career break because my husband served in the Army, and we were stationed in Belgium for three years,” she recalls. “When it was time for me to return, I started part-time in a support role, worked hard to prove myself, and eventually earned my way back up within the association.”

What first felt like a disruption became a path toward renewed purpose.

Swett sees transitions as meaningful growth opportunities. “Every transition or break is a chance to reset, refocus my goals — and it helps us grow,” she says. “In our journey, there are seasons where one of us holds steady at home so the other can chase their career goals. It balances give and take, grounded in trust and teamwork. Take the step. It might lead to an opportunity you never saw coming.”

Ten Signs It Might Be Time to Move On

If you’ve been feeling uncertain or stuck, consider whether any of these apply:

1. You feel more drained than energized.
   If most workdays leave you depleted rather than fulfilled, ask why. Has frustration been building?
2. You’re no longer learning or growing.
   If you are no longer challenged, you may have hit a plateau.
3. Your values and leadership’s direction are diverging.
   A widening gap between what matters most to you and where the organization is headed can lead to lasting frustration. This is often the clearest sign that it’s time to move on.
4. You’re contributing incrementally, not significantly.
   Are you maintaining the status quo or creating real impact?
5. You’ve lost your seat at the decision-making table.
   If your input is no longer sought or respected, your influence may be diminishing.
6. You’re staying because it feels safe.
   The steady salary and benefits. The trusted colleagues and familiar industry relationships. These are all compelling reasons to stay. But while comfort isn’t a bad thing, fear of change shouldn’t be the reason you stay.
7. The departments around you are evolving and yours isn’t.
   When other teams in your organization are innovating while yours maintains the status quo, it could signal stagnation.
8. You’ve lost curiosity.
   If your work feels repetitive and doesn’t spark your interest, it’s time to pay attention.
9. Your strengths are underused.
   If your best skills go untapped, your engagement will decline.
10. You sense someone else could bring a needed new perspective.
    Remember when you were the one with bold new ideas? Sometimes it’s time for a fresh perspective. Stepping aside can be a generous act for both you and the organization.

Stepping Aside With Purpose

Even if you’re unsure about leaving, you may sense that your presence could be limiting progress. That is not a failure. It’s self-awareness.

Steele offers this reminder: “Sometimes we need to leave so that the organization can continue to grow with new perspectives and insights,” she says. “Sometimes you have to move on to create space for others.”

Leadership is not just about holding on. It is about knowing when to let go. That step might feel uncomfortable, but it is often the most courageous thing you can do.

What to Do Next

If several of these signs resonate, that does not mean you need to make a major move tomorrow. But it may be time to pause and reflect.

Consider these questions:

• What parts of my work truly energize me?
• What have I accomplished this year that makes me proud?
• What part of my work feels off course or no longer meaningful?
• What aspects of my role have I outgrown?
• What kind of work do I want to be doing more of?
• If I knew I could not fail, what would I pursue next?

You do not need all the answers right now. Even asking these questions can bring clarity. Then take one small step. Reach out to a mentor. Try something new. Explore a learning opportunity. These small actions build momentum.

Moving Forward With Intention

If you are feeling stuck, know you are not alone. Many professionals reach this point not because they have failed, but because they have grown.

Sometimes the next step is reshaping your current role. Other times, it is stepping into something that better reflects who you are now.

Recognizing the signs is the first step. Trusting yourself to act is the next.

You may be closer than you think to your next big opportunity.

A Note About Burnout

Burnout can sometimes be a result of the factors described above, but it is not always a clear signal that you need to move on. If you’re experiencing burnout, it’s important to step back and assess what’s really driving it. Take a close look at your workload, your own expectations and standards, and the systems around you.

Most importantly, protect your mental health. Rest, support, and reflection are essential. From that place of clarity, you’ll be better equipped to decide whether the solution lies in shifting your role, adjusting your boundaries, or exploring something new entirely.