Stay Relevant Advice Column August 28, 2026

Welcome back to the Stay Relevant advice column, where we answer readers’ burning questions about their careers and how thrive in a fast-changing workplace. Every couple of weeks, I offer insight into what’s bothering you and what might be keeping you stuck.

Send your questions to candace@candacemoody.com

Dear Stay Relevant:

I’m a member of The Seasonal Reading Challenge community over on Goodreads. I’m writing with a question our group was especially interested in: Recognizing when (negative) feedback is telling you to adapt within your current environment versus recognizing that the environment itself may no longer be a good fit.

Thanks for your help.

Dear Goodreads Reader:

Such a great question! And one that will be so personal that it’s hard to give an answer to fit every situation. But here are the criteria that might go into your decision.

• Where you are in your career. If you are a couple of years from retirement, it’s probably a better idea to stay and adapt. If the issues are technical or related to your style (see above) you can and should invest the time to address them. Ignoring the issues or stubbornly digging in (I’m too old to change now) will probably result in your company choosing your retirement date, rather than letting you choose it.

If you are mid-career (10 years or more from retirement), you can consider moving on to a better fit, depending on how happy and engaged you feel about your role and the company. If you’re unhappy anyway, that is reason enough to start quietly shopping your resume around. Be aware though, that everywhere you go, there you are. You may run into the same issues, and you’ll be dealing with them in a new company where your influence is considerably diminished and your  history and accomplishments in your former company mostly forgotten.

If you’re in the first phase of your career, you might be better off moving on, depending on whether the issues are fixable and worth the effort (see question #1 above.)

• The potential for growth in your current company or role. If this is your true calling and chosen career path, the role might be worth fighting (or changing) for. If you can take your skills anywhere (you’re an accountant, say, or a developer), you can find a place that might be a better cultural fit and offer the same opportunity for advancement. If you’re a specialist with fewer options for employment, you should stay and address the issues.

If you love your job and like the company, you should adapt. Adaptability and resilience are muscles that can be strengthened with practice and effort. If you give up and move on the first time someone offers constructive criticism, you’ll never know how well you can change and thrive in a new environment or under new conditions.

• Whether the feedback feels objective, fair, and meant for your own good. If you sense bias, bullying, or a campaign to move you on, listen to your instincts. You deserve better.

Best Wishes,

Candace