S1 E 18 The Cost of Staying Too Long: When Loyalty Isn’t a Career Strategy

Discover how loyalty may be holding you back—with a 3‑question Loyalty Audit and a proven decision‑making framework to help high‑achieving women choose growth and alignment.

Guest quote:

“Fear isn’t evidence of limitation; it’s evidence of your potential.” – Jessica Cumming

Episode summary:
In this episode of We Are Women Unapologetically, Jessica Cumming unpacks why staying out of fear or obligation can be more harmful than freeing. She guides listeners through a Loyalty Audit—asking if you stay out of love, loyalty, or fear—and a powerful decision‑making process: Future Self, Deathbed, Practical Reality Check. Whether you decide to stay or leave, you’ll gain clarity, confidence, and actionable steps to build a career aligned with who you're becoming.

CHAPTER BREAKDOWN

0:00 Welcome: Shift Happens, But You Don’t Have To Do It Alone

1:12 The Cost of Staying Too Long

2:01 Loyalty or Fear in Disguise?

3:03 Burnout, Identity Fusion, and Invisible Women

5:09 Self-Abandonment Is Not a Career Strategy

6:23 3 Psychological Patterns Keeping You Stuck

8:03 Real-Life Career Pivot: Jessica’s Story

9:03 The Loyalty Audit: 3 Game-Changing Questions

13:12 How to Interpret Your Answers

14:49 The Real Cost of Staying

19:02 The Decision Framework: Future Self, Deathbed, and Reality Check

24:06 If You’re Staying: Do This First

25:36 If You’re Leaving: Do This First

27:33 Universal Next Steps for Any Path

29:12 The Truth About Readiness

30:07 Final Word: You Don’t Owe Anyone Your Exhaustion

Key takeaways:

• Conduct the Loyalty Audit: Are you staying for love, loyalty, or fear?

• Use the decision framework: Will your future self thank or resent today's choice?

• Choose with intention: Whether staying or leaving, do it from strength and purpose.

• Take practical steps: Mentors, LinkedIn updates, self‑care, and documenting wins.

• Own your potential: Fear signals readiness, not weakness.

Power Move of the Week:
Complete your Loyalty Audit—answer if you’re staying for love, loyalty, or fear and journal the truth.

Want to learn more? Follow Jessica on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicacumming04/

Download the Transcript here

Want more guidance? Purchase the Shift Happens Toolkit for just $27 to help you navigate your transition.