Since 1994, I have been gainfully employed my entire adult life, in fact the gap between our life in Santa Fe, New Mexico and my enlistment in the US Coast Guard is the only gap I can think of since I graduated High School. I have NEVER been fired, I have tried to never burn bridges, I have always offered myself for more than the standard 2 week notice, until now.
I have no heartache about this time I quit, without notice, without remorse, sometimes people need to know they're treating you like shit and you are worth much much more. Sometimes a man can be sitting across the table, similar in age, similar in experience and easily forget where they are in the grand scheme. A Leader is not entitled to belittling and the mere act of creating scapegoats to save face displays they are weak, inexperienced, unprepared and scared leaders.
I have learned a few things over the years, trying to be the best may not get you promoted and it may actually stifle your promoteability. I don't advocate being mediocre, just ask my family they laugh when I use the term, but I think many companies can't afford to promote top performers and worry they will create severe gaps that can't be filled. I've also learned that despite your abilities, credentials will always carry Elephants' weight over capabilities, just look at all the letters on a business card nowadays just behind a name. This may be driven by HR or Boards that are unaware of your capabilities, maybe even customer requirements. The value of those credentials always diminishes as more and more credentials are handed out like Pez dispensers, and the experienced worker ends up training the credentialed professional. The most important thing I have learned is Lead by Example, everyone wants to follow a Leader that can walk the walk right there with you when shit hits the fan.
I've reached a crossroad as many do at my age, however I don't want the fast car or 24 year old wife, I would actually just like to be recognized for my efforts, my loyalty to the job at hand, my dedication to a well lead goal and the customer. I'm not looking to become a millionaire, but if I do become a millionaire, I want it to be because I busted my ass to get that $$.
Otherwise, I would like to load up an RV, my wife, my kid/s, my dogs my bikes and see the countryside any countryside any hemisphere...the whole world. While I still can.
