I’ve seen this happen repeatedly: the first reaction when a leader loses his or her job is for them to immediately start looking for one just like it.

(Preferably by tomorrow)

This knee-jerk reaction is seldom in your best interest, especially among talented leaders whose skills are always in demand. Just because you can get another job quickly doesn’t mean that position is your best move.

Take time to assess. Reflect. Allow yourself to dream in the most expansive way possible: what might be such a spectacular next move that at the moment it seems unrealistic? Ask yourself whether there might be a path to fulfill that “wild” dream.

At the very least, step back to assess where you have been:

●      What worked and what did not?

●      What could you have done better or at least differently?

●      Were you both fulfilled as well as successful?

●      Have you been using all your talents?

●      Was the risk/reward equation appropriately balanced?

●      Has anything changed in your life that might cause you to shift your priorities?

Most of the people in my network are used to moving quickly. They are aggressive and driven. They like clarity and focus.

But at pivotal movements like this one, it often pays to go slowly. Think of it this way:

One month slow, one year fast.

Instead of racing towards your next role, take a month to consider your options. It might even pay to do absolutely nothing during this period: go climb a mountain or sail from island to island. Decompress and allow your body, mind and spirit to reset.

In this situation, the cost of moving too quickly is usually far greater than the cost of taking a month or two to regain your perspective.