Turning the page

I started a new chapter in my life yesterday. I decided to end a bad situation turning worse every day by quitting my job after 18 months. I loved the people, the work, and the potential of the company, but I couldn't quite connect with my boss the CEO. We didn't see eye to eye on one very critical factor (in his opinion). Otherwise it was a good job and company. We were getting lots done, meeting objectives, gaining new business, new customers and new opportunities to bid, so that part was okay. He didn't like the fact that I sometimes took time off to get personal business done. I have never been measured by anything other than results, outcomes, and met objectives and have always made companies loads of money, but in this situation he wanted more from me than I could give. He was under the impression that I was gone a lot more than I really was, and wanted me to make a decision about what priorities were at the top of my life. It felt like an ultimatum...decide now on my life's priorities.

Don't get me wrong, I believe in hard work and an honest day's pay, etc. But vacation is up to the discretion of the employee, isn't it? How I use my days off should be my business, and when I use them should be based on when I want to use them, right? I guess not all bosses believe that. So instead of making promises I couldn't live up to, I decided it was better if I left. After a testy email exchange after yet another question about where I was and my loyalty to the company I decided that enough was enough. I went in on Monday and resigned. We discussed things and he tried to make it work by asking me to commit to a 40 hour week. I had already been putting in 45, so I knew it was only a matter of time before 40 turned into 50, and then 60 hours a week. I told him that I could lie to him and say that I would be there 40 hours a week, but in my heart I knew I could not. I have other responsibilities in my life, and sometimes those other duties require me to make them a priority.

I have always been very transparent about those other duties...in fact, when I interviewed I made it clear that I had these "things" going on. Soon after I started, I even gave him a list of those duties along with approximate times I would need to take off work. For example, my board membership with Christian Relief Fund required at least 2 Fridays a year for board meetings, and at least 2 weeks of foreign travel. My advisory and board membership of SmartCup required 4 weekdays a year for board meetings and other unscheduled meetings with investors, banks, trade shows, etc. I also had advisory roles with 2 other small companies that I helped with management and technical problems on that list. So all in all, at least 3 weeks out of the office. Sorry for being busy and trying to help the less fortunate...dang, how rude of me! Out of 4 weeks vacation a year, 3 of them are burned up on business and charitable stuff. No wonder I never get to do anything fun in my life...

So on to my next adventure. I got the best piece of advice from one of my former co-workers. She told me (thanks Shana!) that I should do something that takes my professional talent and combine that with my passion for non-profit work. She thinks I should help non-profits start up for-profit businesses to help fund their work. Hmmm. Great idea.

Saying good-byes are always hard, but as soon as I told him I was done, I felt so free. It felt good; it felt right. And there is no going back for me. I wish my former company and co-workers good luck. There are way bigger problems there than my hours, and hopefully they will find that out soon enough.

Chow!