Ask the expert: What should I do when the dream job becomes the problem?

Sally J. Clarke is the co-author of Walk Away: Step Out to Step Up, which highlights real stories of high-achieving women who have left roles that no longer served them. Available on Amazon and Apple Books.

I’m in a dream role I once really wanted, but now I feel burnt out. Is it time to move on?

Not necessarily. Many of the leaders my co-author Deborah Overdeput and I spoke with while researching Walk Away: Step Out to Step Up described moments when even their most meaningful roles became exhausting. High-performing careers often involve intense stretches, and burnout on its own does not necessarily mean the role itself is wrong.

Others realised the role itself had evolved. One founder shared that while she was energised by building a business, the operational demands of scaling it were far less interesting. The company was thriving, but the leadership it required had shifted.

It’s crucial to recognise that change is not a failure – it simply signals that both the organisation and leader have moved into a new phase.

Is this exhaustion just temporary, or a deeper sign that it’s time to quit my job?

The distinction often lies between fatigue and misalignment. Temporary exhaustion usually improves when pressure eases or support increases. Misalignment persists even when the workload becomes manageable. Helpful questions include whether the role still allows you to grow, whether the organisation’s values align with your own, and whether the work fulfils you or simply consumes your energy. It is also worthwhile considering whether the role still stretches you intellectually or sparks curiosity.

Common signs that you’ve stayed too long in a role or situation

• Loss of curiosity
  Leaders who were once energised by solving problems begin to feel detached from the work.
• Staying primarily out of loyalty or identity
  Some people remain because they have invested years building something, and feel responsible for maintaining it.
• Wanting to build a new business
  Contributor Dr Meena Kaushik, co-founder and chair of Quantum Consumer Solutions, reflects that founders often reach a moment when they identify an opportunity to build a new business, because the organisation they work for no longer aligns with their values.

How cam I reframe the act of leaving?

When significant time and energy have been invested in building a career or organisation, leaving can feel like abandoning something important. Yet the experiences shared in the book suggest a different interpretation. Walking away is often a deliberate decision to protect long-term impact. Several contributors stepped away from roles that appeared highly successful from the outside. They described these decisions not as losses, but as realignments that opened the door to the next stage of their careers.

In the book, founder and CEO of Investax Alice Chen emphasises that a strategic approach to career decisions requires honesty, clarity and courage. In her view, the most effective leaders do not walk away from challenge; they move towards opportunities where their strengths can create the greatest impact. Seen in that light, walking away is not about abandoning success. It is about resilience, recognising when the conditions that once made something meaningful have changed, and planning the steps towards achieving your career vision.

Need career advice or have a work dilemma? Write to herworld@sph.com.sg, and we’ll have your query answered by an expert.