Let me tell you a story from a life experience of mine. I was still a few months from turning 17, and I got a dream job doing a co-op at a large technology company. I came on board as one of the four youngest people to ever work at this company, which was a very big honor. I started there with one of my best friends to boot so the experience was fantastic to think I was still in high school and starting to become a professional programmer.
Cutting to the chase on this story I told a lie. A very big lie, one with ramifications, and I was caught. Why did I lie? Looking back it was complete immaturity and the desire to have the freedom to go meet a girlfriend in another state for a few days. Hormones and a lack of better sense can do that to a person at that age. The lie caught up to me just a week later and my contract was immediately terminated. However, somehow, they saw compassion for my situation. Without the co-op I’d be held from graduating high school, I’d be black balled from the industry, and my reputation would be soiled.
In the end I was given a second chance, moved to a new department, and I personally went to apologize to all those whom I misguided. It was utterly and completely humiliating, but was probably what showed that I at least had the character to accept what I’d done wrong. Lies compound more lies after all until they spill over with sometimes disastrous consequences. I was given a second chance that I’ve continued to remember since that defining point.
Since that point in my life I’ve realized that lying has no merit, no practical uses, and in the end will harm more than it heals. I mention this life lesson because since that time I’ve changed my life to always present the truth in all matters, be it personal, or work. In that regard I’ve been very straight forward on many things and in situations where the truth could harm I’ve still never the less continued to uphold truth. You can ask any of my friends for that matter I tend to speak my mind, for better or worse, and present myself just as I am.
Recently I was contacted by my department manager whose been overseeing my progress over the last couple of weeks since my last department manager quit. This new manager, whom was a project manager on a previous project, knows me pretty well, and has been a genuinely good leader. I received a request for why I was leaving the company, and I responded with the generic ‘new opportunity’ explanation with emphasis on an increased leadership position. I received another email essentially saying ‘is that is? Why didn’t you ask us first?’
My choices were A) ignore the request for clarification and leave with an ambiguous exit stance, or B) to tell many of the internal short-comings that I’ve felt contributed to my departure. Keep in mind until this point I was relatively content in my current position with exception to a few points I’d already voiced concern about. Thinking back I decided to take a risk by going with B. I drafted an email with no ill-intent and outlined several main reasons for my departure ranging from dissatisfaction on the recent career structure assessment, alarming employee turn-over (I’ve had 4-5 managers in less than a year) , dissatisfaction with current hiring practices, constant restructuring, but anyways I took the risk.
Why would I do this? Well, I’m probably crazy, looking to get black balled in the area, or am just looking to help the company take a look at itself. I figure it’s better to give an honest assessment of the company because I can’t be the only one there feeling the strain. I’ve been separated from the office for nearly a year, but a bit ago I went to an office party where I couldn’t help but think ‘who are these people?’ I come back out to work at the clients, and on one occasion I had to re-clarify to a client manager that my manager was a new manager. I think his response was like “How many managers do you have?”
I just think in this situation I’m not trying to burn bridges, but some of the things I’ve gone through were displeasing. I think the company has a lot of great people in it, but that there are big problems. There have been articles talking about the company peaking with the resulting downward spiral. I’ve seen a lot of employees displeased with processes, changes, and many have jumped ship as well. What I say won’t change the company, but maybe it’ll help them save another employee. If anything at least I’ll have given them an honest assessment.
Offbeat