Recently a client called me and was upset with his CEO. He read the handwriting on the wall. He just wasn’t sure what the handwriting was saying. Should the client stay? Should the client look at the myriad of other employment options that he had? Was he being paranoid?
What I said to him was this: if there really are bad guys with guns following you, then you aren’t paranoid. The point I was making was this: always push to look for observable, measurable evidence. If the observable, measurable evidence says there are bad guys, run. If the observable, measurable provides no evidence, then yes perhaps you are just paranoid.
Observable, measurable evidence can be provided from a multitude of places. Anecdotal evidence certainly counts. Statistics count. Perspectives from others may count although solicited evidence counts more than the unsolicited advice that finds its way to your door step. Direct communication counts both in written and verbal form.
What doesn’t count is what you “think” or “feel.” Just saying “I don’t think he likes me” or “I feel like he doesn’t like me” is not enough. There is a caveat. I don’t often agree with Shirley MacLaine. I do however agree with her when she says, “your intuition is God’s way of talking to you.” So if what you think or feel is truly based on your intuition, then it counts as measurable.
When you think about making a job change or wondering what someone thinks of you, push yourself to look for the observable, measurable evidence. If there are no bad guys, enjoy the moment.
Wait awhile and check the wall for handwriting.
