Jolted

Why We Quit, When to Stay, and Why It Matters

By: Anthony Klotz

The new science of why we quit, whether we should, and how to make the right choices for our work and lives, by the organizational psychologist who predicted the Great Resignation

Most of us are just one event away from leaving our job. Conventional wisdom and lists of the “top reasons people quit their jobs” would have us believe that people quit when the toxic elements of their jobs grow too big or when they spot a better professional opportunity. But that’s only half the story. In reality, quitting is often triggered by a single event, inside or outside our jobs, that stops us in our tracks and causes us to rethink our relationship with work.

These events are what organizational psychologist Anthony Klotz calls “jolts,” and they are the most underacknowledged realities in our work lives today. Jolts represent pivotal moments in our careers, and yet all too often, we respond to them in ways that harm our well-being and success. In Jolted, Klotz breaks down the different types of jolts we encounter and provides a road map to help us navigate them in ways that improve, rather than derail, our pursuit of the good life through our work.

Critic reviews

“The ultimate guide to deciding whether to stay or go. As one of the world’s leading experts on quitting, Anthony Klotz predicted and coined The Great Resignation, and his book is an engaging, evidence-based, and exceedingly useful resource. If you’ve ever been torn about leaving, this is the master class you’ve been waiting for.”
—Adam Grant, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Hidden Potential

“Behind almost every decision to quit is a jolt, and too often, we either don’t recognize these moments or respond to them poorly. In Jolted, Klotz offers a smarter path. With evidence-based insights and practical tools, he shows how to navigate these turning points. This book is an essential guide to crafting a career and a life that will enable you to thrive in a world of constant change.”
—Annie Duke, the bestselling author of Quit

“Hands down the best career advice I ever got was 'Don't forget to quit.' But how do you know it's time? Jolted will help you know when and how to get out of a bad job and into a better one.”
—Kim Scott, the New York Times bestselling author of Radical Respect