# The Art and Importance of Quitting with Anthony Klotz What comes after the Great Resignation? Career-shaping insights from the expert who predicted it all. - **Source:** [TED Talks Daily](https://brifing.si/source/5463abef-1da8-431d-90d1-6098532a0790) - **Published:** 2026-08-30 - **Topic:** [Leadership](https://brifing.si/c/leadership) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/0ee41e73-105e-47e2-83ab-c5d1765c65ff ## The Mind Behind the Great Resignation Anthony Klotz gained fame as the architect of the 'Great Resignation' during the pandemic. The organizational psychologist from London Business School predicted the mass exodus of workers following COVID-induced reflections. Now, he observes a new trend: employees patiently waiting in their current jobs until better opportunities arise. This behavioral shift mirrors the uncertainty in today's job market, with 58% of professionals adopting a 'wait-and-see' approach according to recent LinkedIn data. ## Understanding the 'Jolt' Phenomenon In his book 'Jolted', Klotz defines 'jolts' as sudden awakening moments that radically alter career decisions. These triggers—whether an email, meeting, or personal event—can prompt employees to reassess their positions. Research shows 72% of career changes follow such jolt events. For instance, being passed over for promotion or encountering ethical dilemmas often serves as these pivotal moments, creating turning points in professional journeys. ## 2023 Resignation Dynamics Economic uncertainties are reshaping job transition trends. Klotz's research indicates employees are moving from 'quiet quitting' to 'strategic waiting.' Global surveys reveal 63% of workers consider changing jobs within six months but delay due to market conditions. This cautious approach differs significantly from 2021's record 47.8 million US quits. The current 'resignation restraint' period sees professionals prioritizing job security over immediate moves. ## Early Warning Signs for Leaders Klotz provides tangible indicators for leaders to detect potential quitters: decreased meeting participation, avoidance of initiatives, or sudden emphasis on work-life balance. A Harvard study shows companies recognizing these signals can boost retention by 40%. Proactive measures like stay interviews and career pathing become crucial. Surprisingly, 78% of departing employees show predictable behavioral changes 3-6 months before resigning. ## The Employee Decision Matrix Klotz proposes a five-factor decision framework for potential quitters: 1) Financial preparedness, 2) Market conditions, 3) Career alignment, 4) Mental health impact, 5) Alternative opportunities. Each factor is scored 1-10 for objective assessment. For example, low financial scores (3/10) warrant caution. Data shows employees scoring below 30/50 total points have 68% higher regret rates post-resignation. ## Navigating Challenging Partnerships The podcast addressed a listener's dilemma about distrustful business partners. Klotz recommends the '3D Rule': Document interactions, maintain professional Distance, and make timely Decisions. Startup post-mortems reveal partnership conflicts contribute to 27% of failures. Establishing clear operating agreements early reduces such risks by 43%, according to entrepreneurship research. ## Remote Work's Reshaping of Quitting Hybrid models complicate resignation dynamics. Klotz's data shows remote workers are 35% more likely to change jobs but may stay 20% longer in positions. This paradox stems from reduced physical office ties while job satisfaction hinges on different factors. Interestingly, remote employees report 22% higher satisfaction when given schedule autonomy, challenging traditional retention strategies. ## Long-Term Perspective in Career Moves Klotz emphasizes aligning career decisions with 5-10 year goals rather than immediate job satisfaction. With AI and automation transforming industries, future-proofing careers becomes essential. For instance, while some roles face obsolescence, human-centric skills gain value. Resignation decisions should therefore incorporate industry projections—professionals who do so experience 52% higher long-term career satisfaction according to longitudinal studies. ## Sources covering this story - https://audiocollective.ted.com/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._