How to Quit Your Job — Without Ruining Your Career | The Way We Work, a TED series

Stuck in an unfulfilling or stagnant job? To achieve a smooth departure without burning bridges, try this three-step exit strategy from career coach Gala Jackson. She’ll help you move on to your next position with courage, confidence and clarity. The Way We Work is a TED original video series where leaders and thinkers offer practical…

Published

4 years ago

March 1, 2023

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The Way We Work is a TED original video series where leaders and thinkers offer practical wisdom and insight into how we can adapt and thrive amid changing workplace conventions. Made possible with the support of Upwork. Visit for more!

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40 Comments

Halt Hammerzeit

March 1, 2023 at 4:20 pm

Damn. I decided on my way to work, I don’t want to go anymore. So I didn’t.

Reply
- Danielsan
  
  March 4, 2023 at 11:15 pm
  
  Wife going to pay the bills. Nope!!! Not my ex.
  
  Reply
Sarah Dale

March 1, 2023 at 4:28 pm

Thank you so much Gala Jackson for this incredible talk! Your advice was really helpful and insightful.

Reply
Shloomy Shloms

March 1, 2023 at 4:32 pm

When I quit and retired and knew it was permanent, I went in to linkedin and modified my work history to include all the truths I had held back, all the dirty secrets, lack of cooperation, and gripes

Reply
D Y

March 1, 2023 at 4:37 pm

Excellent presentation. ????????????

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Anya Getman

March 1, 2023 at 4:44 pm

Remember that the moment you give 2 weeks notice … you might get walked out.

Reply
Namulema zulaika

March 1, 2023 at 5:07 pm

Every once in a while, take a few moments to bring to mind an image of your life as you wish it to be. This vision can illuminate your path. And as with all things, you only have to take it one step at a time.

Reply
Simon Lausch

March 1, 2023 at 5:09 pm

Interesting point. But I was expecting more in the line of “How do I stay polite when they ask for feedback/my reason for quitting”

Reply
- bookcreator
  
  March 2, 2023 at 1:34 am
  
  I regret not telling HR the truth about my manager’s conduct towards me, so I told a half truth. I said there was not enough communications support, which is true. I still get chills whenever I hear the sound of a Teams ring tone (fortunately my current position does not use Teams)
  
  Reply
- djw8888
  
  March 3, 2023 at 9:33 pm
  
  I sugar-coated my feedback because I felt sorry for the HR manager conducting the exit interview. She was very uncomfortable in the (temporary) role. Then I put the actual feedback on Glassdoor. To me, it’s a favor to people thinking of working there, the management needing to improve, and my former fellow employees who can’t say much because they work on an at-will basis. Everyone who reads it will know whose words they are. I don’t care because this is the last time I’ll be employed by someone else in this country!
  
  Reply
Nicholas

March 1, 2023 at 5:10 pm

What a well built video

Reply
PonderLust

March 1, 2023 at 7:17 pm

TED is always talking to people with privilege.

Reply
- freesk8
  
  March 2, 2023 at 6:32 am
  
  Having a job is not privilege. Thinking it’s ok to suck off the government teat is privilege.
  
  Reply
Alex Snow

March 1, 2023 at 7:40 pm

If you aren’t running the company, you probably have something bothering you. More money gets my attention away from it. That easy. And I will tell you now, no amount of money will EVER be enough to deal with stupid on a consistent basis.

Reply
Andrew Skipsey

March 1, 2023 at 8:29 pm

Please do just yell “I quit,” and not listen to this propaganda.

Reply
Laura sarva

March 1, 2023 at 8:57 pm

It is better to invest now. You will never be younger than you are today and there will never be a perfect time to invest. Due to compounding, which Einstein called the 8th wonder of the world, you can get rich slowly from investing if you do it from a young enough age.

Reply
- jake
  
  March 2, 2023 at 1:01 am
  
  I have also been trading with him, The profits are secured and over a 100% return on investment directly sent to your wallet. I made up to $36,000 in 1 month trading with him
  
  Reply
- dave mandell
  
  March 2, 2023 at 1:06 am
  
  I’m really glad I stumbled upon writing to him today. I really hope he can help
  
  Reply
- Alvin Chavez
  
  March 2, 2023 at 1:09 am
  
  That man good work’s have been all over, I’ve been seen a lot of good comments about him on several places. If I’m to invest I feel more confident investing with him, I’ve been obsessed with him trading strategies
  
  Reply
- Chesseman
  
  March 2, 2023 at 1:12 am
  
  This kind of information we don’t get from most YouTubers. I will get in touch with him now
  
  Reply
- hartyewh
  
  March 2, 2023 at 6:42 pm
  
  @James Harrison Invest in ETF’s in a way that there are close to no service fees.
  
  Reply
Perfectlessness

March 1, 2023 at 10:05 pm

Very clever insight, thanks again TED!

Reply
Zachary Dean

March 1, 2023 at 10:09 pm

hi

Reply
Prema Poojitan Ananda

March 1, 2023 at 10:55 pm

????

Reply
GREENCARDUS GREENCARDUS

March 2, 2023 at 1:04 am

Sorry but you lost link between object reality and reality, but that very important. Like virtual world (reality) and explicit (clear, transparent) world (object reality)!

Author Bogdan.

Reply
GREENCARDUS GREENCARDUS

March 2, 2023 at 1:09 am

If You Biological Material!

Reply
kombi

March 2, 2023 at 2:48 am

Im not sure who to speak to. There is a Youtube creator that says he is doing ted talks. His talks are talking about hurting police. Misogynistic. And giving leg advise with any law degree. He is pretending to give TED talks at the end ov his videos.

Reply
Sanjay Itty Mathew

March 2, 2023 at 5:26 am

you’re essentially telling victims to adapt to their abusers. the title should be “how to make workers feel that they are to blame for companies doing everything in their power and influence to ruin the future career prospects of someone that quits, as a reminder to other workers that if anyone else thinks of quitting, management will make sure they suffer too. TED doesn’t drive systemic change. it broadcasts propaganda to force workers to bend to satisfy the employers convenience, while the system and management’s abuser mindset red flags are painted as immutable.

Reply
- Jijo Johnny
  
  March 2, 2023 at 9:46 am
  
  Exactly bro!!!
  
  Reply
- Danielsan
  
  March 4, 2023 at 11:14 pm
  
  Exactly. It’s about money end of and kindness. Companies don’t promote they get some one cheap new
  
  Reply
Cool Girl 007

March 2, 2023 at 7:00 am

I’m just wanted to be healthy now
Money do not bother me much

Reply
Алла Тетенова

March 2, 2023 at 3:39 pm

Why a cartoon? Are we so stupid that we don’t understand the words? What’s happening? What for

Reply
ali çimen

March 3, 2023 at 11:37 am

i was thinking about quit but they fired me:d

Reply
Danielsan

March 4, 2023 at 11:12 pm

What career…..they don’t like spending to promote and giving money.. it’s all about money sweet heart and kindness.

Reply
yazan

March 5, 2023 at 5:53 am

Thank you

Reply

People & Blogs

How I’m Helping Thousands Rebuild Their Lives After Prison | Susan Burton | TED

Published

19 hours ago

September 7, 2026

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Each year, around two million women are released from prisons and jails in the US, many with nowhere to go. Susan Burton knows this firsthand: after cycling in and out of prison for years, she finally found a safe place to land … and made it her mission to offer others the same. She shares how she’s helping thousands rebuild their lives — and changing the way we think about second chances. (Recorded at TED2026 on April 15, 2026)

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This new way of treating depression starts with rewiring the brain #TEDTalks

The idea that depression comes from a chemical imbalance in the brain has shaped treatment for decades. Neuroscientist Lisa Monteggia shares research suggesting that’s not the whole story — and shows how a decades-old drug could upend what we thought we knew about depression, with the potential to offer relief within hours.

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How to Make Learning Impossibly Fun | Mark Rober | TED

Published

2 days ago

September 6, 2026

CYBER TECH TV

What if science class felt less like studying out of a textbook and more like an unforgettable field trip? From viral glitter-bomb traps to backyard engineering marvels, former-NASA-engineer-turned-YouTuber Mark Rober has spent years proving that curiosity is contagious — and that the best way to teach science is to make it impossibly fun. In conversation with TED’s Whitney Pennington Rodgers, Rober shares how play, wonder and a healthy dose of mischief can transform the way kids learn … and gives a peek inside his plan to bring magic to every classroom in America. (This conversation was part of an exclusive TED Membership event. TED Membership is the best way to support and engage with the big ideas you love from TED. To learn more, visit ted.com/membership.) (Recorded at TED Membership on July 29, 2026])

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#TED #TEDTalks #Education #MarkRober