In May, I
wrote a blog about it being “Time to Say Goodbye”. I talked about needing to
leave my current position and the reasons. As it turns out, what I had been
told by “the experts” before I left the US for Japan was true – it is hard for
a long time ex-pat to return to where you started. My favorite author from high
school, Thomas Wolfe, was right. At least in my case, “you can’t go home again.”
The feelings
I had in May about needing to move on intensified as I watched my ex-boss get
fired in June and three others in leadership positions depart quickly. Despite
being a profitable business in a company whose stock had just hit an all-time
high, the corporate chiefs are never satisfied and seemed to feel a game of
corporate musical chairs was in order. I stayed away from the growing chaos as
much as possible by spending time with customers in Asia.
Another
saying came to mind as I traveled, “you can run but you can’t hide”. Although I
dodged the initial salvos from the change machine at HQ, it became apparent to
me that a bullet with my name on it had entered the corporate RIF chamber. |
| By my favorite author from my high school years - for many expats life imitates art |
A couple days
later, I was sitting on a tatami mat on a small island in Japan enjoying
sashimi and sake with customers when my cell began to buzz. Night
time in Japan meant the day was just getting started on the east coast of
America. The news was not good – one of our least knowledgeable people had just
been named to run the Division. We had a new boss and not one who
appreciated my Asia skills…….
My trip
continued for another ten days. I was traveling with a colleague who was
equally unhappy with our leadership change. We mulled over the possible
impacts. “There is no (expletive deleted) way he can get rid of you, who else
can do what you do in Asia?” queried my long-time friend. I smiled and my
unease grew.
I flew home
to happily find our new leader was out of the country. The buzz in the office
was about the coming reorganization. A week passed, a new week began. I had
three groups of Japanese visitors coming over a ten day period to visit our
plant, discuss the future and play golf (not necessarily in that order). I
incorrectly assumed that nothing would happen when we had important guests visiting.
Our new leader returned to the office, he wanted to see me at 4PM – before a
customer dinner.
I sat across
from a man that I had never liked but had always had civil dealings with.
He knew nothing about our business and had no international experience
before he came to the Division. On the other hand, he was gifted at internal politics and used to
work for the company our new CEO came from. His ascent to the top - a victory of
form over substance.
“I want to
show you my new organization” he
said. Not waiting for a reply he described the boxes on his chart. “Did you
notice your position is not on the chart?” he said with a gleam in his eye.
Since it was a rhetorical question, he went on: “that is because I have eliminated
it”. “You are paid too much and I want to get your departure costs in this
quarter”. His parting shot was that my old boss was not around to protect me.
Clearly this was not a painful experience for him. Rather than give him the joy
he was seeking by reacting emotionally. I simply said, “Well, ok, I guess I
will go talk to Connie (my wife)” and walked out of the room.
In a moment,
I had gone from 1% er to 8.1% er (unemployed). Of course, inside I was hurt and
angry and feeling “screwed”. I left the building, got in the car and hit speed
dial on my touch screen (hands free, of course).
 |
| This diagram shows the highlights of the final meeting with my boss. |
Within 30
minutes, I was home – walking our faithful dog Yuki with my wife. I got someone else to host the dinner I was skipping. I talked and
talked some more. I told my wife: “this is like 8th grade, I was
going to break up with my girlfriend (translation - leave the company) but
while I failed to act she broke up with me (translation – they RIFed me)”.
Feeling a surge of energy and a lot of emotion, we dropped Yuki at the house
and kept walking. After letting me vent, the ever wise Connie said: “look, this
is a Christmas present; they are paying you to leave”. “Your non-compete is
void”. “Had you left on your own, you wouldn’t be getting paid and you wouldn’t
be free to work anywhere”.
Of course,
she was right but it took me another 24 hours to see the world through her
lens. I started making calls and then I started getting calls.
I still had
guests in town to host. I told them the situation. They were not happy with my
sudden demise ("but nobody else in your company understands Japan, Joe san"). Nevertheless, we carried on. The golf outing to Pinehurst was still a great
time. We planned a November meeting in Japan to discuss the future. What my
boss didn’t understand was that my relationships in Asia will continue whether
or not I am with the company.
The next week
was a whirlwind of activity. I reviewed my severance package and early
retirement options, saw a financial planner, had a physical, went to the
dentist and eye doctor, talked to two ex-bosses who had also been “let go” but
were better off for it. I listened to their advice and started to plan my
future. I talked to other trusted friends about next steps. I had my first
interview by phone and agreed to visit the company to discuss options as soon
as possible.
I video
chatted with our faithful Shanghai driver Philip a couple of times. As usual
his perspective made me feel good: “I don’t care what the company does, I am
always your driver”. “I don’t care if China and America go to war, I am your
driver and your friend”. Vintage Philip - not sure where the war comment came from but I understood and appreciated his sentiment. |
| Good to his word - 30 months later Philip still drives me when I am in Shanghai |
Yesterday was
my last day of work for my former employer. I had lunch with some friends, got a
buddy in IT to help configure my new computer and turned in my things.
The next several
weeks will be interesting. There are several options on the table. I haven’t
been this excited about the future since the week we left for Japan to begin our ex-pat life. Perhaps I
should have acted sooner but no matter – today is the first day of the rest of
my life and I am looking forward to the future again.Post script: it as been 30 months since I wrote this post. Life and work is good. I formed a company and have been busy ever since. Working on my own has been more enjoyable, less stressful and more profitable than working for a marginal boss in a declining organization.
