January 11, 2005
Revolving Doors
Prior to being acquired by Cisco, life was simple. We hired what we thought were great people. They usually fulfilled that in the coming years. Co-workers became friends, well, family — we see them more than we do our own families at times.
Now, I live in a world of revolving doors. Employees are getting older and changing up their desires. People can move around freely within such a large company. People come and people go. I am not used to this. I have kept a young team in tact for nearly 5 years. Probably too long of a stretch by normal stats but when its good, people like it and they stay. Times are changing and so will I.
Being a manager and having someone leave is a tough thing. There is a weird dynamic that goes on. A cross between a parental relationship and a friendship. Sometimes you know it is the right thing for them. Other times it is not. At times, you find the employee looking to you for some sort of “at a boy” but when they leave the mother ship, you can’t do that. It is your job to retain employees. So you have to make the argument of why this is the place to be.
So if you ever have a manager that gives you accolades on your new job at the new company, my guess is that your manager wanted you gone anyway and you saved him some trouble. If your manager tells you that you suck, then he probably is pretty pissed off that you are leaving because you are a key ingredient.
