Friday, January 30, 2015 was my last day working for Mercedes-Benz. I gave notice earlier in the month to provide ample notice, and over that time I have had some very interesting and heartfelt discussions with a number of people at work. There's something about being on the way out that seems to bring out a different level of openness in people; these have been some of the most genuine conversations I've had at work.
Number eighteen in 1988, Charlie Babbitt squeezed and pulled and hurt my neck in 1988.
I'm sorry to disappoint, but this isn't going to be a gossip-ridden, rage-filled, bridge-burning online screed where I'll be quoting chapter and verse a litany of offenses (both real and imagined) against me. I have been very fortunate and still can't believe I had this opportunity to have, in my humble opinion, one of the coolest jobs you could have as a UX designer.
However, since we're on the subject of resignations, I've both witnessed and heard of some epic ones. A few of them have even come up in some of my conversations. After one discussion about a particularly messy resignation that we had seen, my colleague said, "It must have taken some balls to quit that way."
There is a very small part of me that wonders what it's like to have a newsworthy exit, like that Jet Blue flight attendant's epic meltdown followed by the inflatable emergency slide to infamy, but thankfully the rest of me doesn't listen.
I don't think that leaving in such a way is actually courageous. It takes more courage to deliver bad news yourself, to be honest while still being responsible, and to leave in a way that treats everyone with the respect they deserve. I haven't always done the courageous thing, but now that I know better, I wish I did.
•••••
Thank you to my colleagues across the world for the opportunity and privilege of being a part of the team for the past two years. I am proud of the work we did, but even more proud of the way in which we did it. I had some amazing experiences and got to participate in some awesome things, and I'm a better person for it.
Team ATV outing to hit the sand dunes at Pismo Beach.
Dankeschon & Auf Wiedersehen!