In a world where job hopping is becoming the norm, Thasunda Brown Duckett, president and CEO of TIAA, urges workers to rethink their approach to challenging workplace situations. Recently featured on LinkedIn’s “This Is Working” podcast, Duckett offered a powerful perspective for those feeling unfulfilled in their roles: "Don’t run from the challenge. Embrace it."

Duckett emphasizes the importance of resilience in the face of workplace difficulties, particularly in today’s job market where opportunities abound. “Be OK with hard,” she advised, encouraging individuals to resist the urge to quickly seek new positions when faced with adversity. Instead, she suggests taking the time to learn and grow from difficult experiences, especially early in one’s career.

Her insights may seem counterintuitive, especially considering that a recent 2023 ResumeLab survey found that 83% of Gen Z workers identify as job hoppers. Many people tend to leave unsatisfactory roles at the first sign of trouble, but Duckett believes that these challenging environments can be crucial for personal and professional development.

“Make sure along your career, especially early on, you sit in hard,” Duckett advised. She encourages employees to reflect on their situations—whether it’s dealing with a less-than-stellar manager or navigating difficult peer relationships. Rather than opting out, Duckett suggests using these challenges as opportunities to enhance essential skills, such as managing through influence.

However, Duckett also stresses the importance of mental health. "Sitting in hard doesn’t mean not protecting your mental health," she cautioned. The key is to find a balance between enduring challenges and recognizing when a situation is detrimental to one’s wellbeing.

Career coach Joyce Guan West echoes Duckett’s sentiments, emphasizing the importance of challenging oneself while also advocating for personal well-being. She warns against tolerating toxic work environments and encourages individuals to explore new opportunities when faced with unreasonable expectations or micromanagement. “If ultimately after trying, they are in a situation that isn’t healthy for them, they need to leave or make a change,” she advised.

For those looking to accelerate their career growth, West recommends building professional relationships and continuously developing skills. “Seek mentors who can provide guidance, put yourself in situations where you can learn as much as possible, and try to get promoted as soon as possible,” she suggests, noting that securing that first managerial role is crucial for fast-tracking career advancement.

In a rapidly changing job landscape, Duckett's and West's advice serves as a reminder that while challenges can be daunting, they can also pave the way for valuable learning experiences and career growth. Embracing discomfort might just be the key to unlocking future success.