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Subject:Re: Would you be angry? From:Rick Lippincott <rjl -at- BOSTECH -dot- COM> Date:Mon, 28 Aug 1995 09:18:22 EDT
On this topic, many folks are starting to advise Richard (and, in reality,
-all- of us) not to burn bridges.
I think I shared this story about a year ago, but it bears repeating because
it proves the value of preserving that path behind you.
Several years ago, I got a layoff notice. Essentially, I returned from a
three-month field project, and was told "Good work. BTW, we reassigned the
work load while you were out, and as you weren't here to claim any, we don't
have anything for you do do any more. Hit the road." I dodged the bullet
on a pink slip only by transferring to a non-tech writing postion, where
I remained for about a year.
I -could- have made my feelings clear to the tech pubs manager, I -could-
have burned the bridges. Instead, I gritted my teeth, said "Gee, it must
have been tough to make this decision" and moved on. Of course, resumes
started going out the door.
It took a year, but I found a better job. It was halfway across the country,
but it was worthwhile.
On my last day at the old company, I was headed out the door, carrying a
box full of stuff removed from my desk. In the doorway, I bumped into my
old tech pubs boss. Hadn't seen him in weeks. "Going somewhere?" he asked.
I told him about the new job. "Actually, I knew that." he said, and named
my new manager at the new company. "I've known him for years through a
professional organization. He called me a couple of weeks ago to ask about
you...."
And I've never burned a bridge since that day.
Rick Lippincott
Boston Technology
Wakefield, MA
rjl -at- bostech -dot- com