"I Resign"

Oh, you don't really say it that way when you formally tender your resignation. You put in a letter, with words such as "I thank you for all the things I have learned during my stay here" and "I look forward to working with you again".

I just wanted to share that I read these words today in the resignation letter handed to me by my AE (account executive). Of course, we discussed her reasons for leaving and bottomline, I (or the company for that matter) cannot provide her what she's looking for (and it's not even monetary).

It's a fact that in the corporate (advertising world in my case) world, no matter how much you try to provide them the best shelter that you can, they will eventually leave and it's usually nothing personal. However, when your own people leave, you cannot help but feel that you might have been a failure as a boss.

Ergo, today, I spent a great deal of time looking back, analyzing my management style, thinking of ways on how to improve my leadership skills, bashing myself on what I should have and have not done, etc., etc. This is how I normally feel every time somebody under my wings resign (they're not a lot, okay?). I always have to tell myself that I have tendered a couple of resignation letters myself not on the account of my boss, but on something else. Then I feel better and eventually stop letting myself down with such thoughts.

It makes me sad to let go of such a great ally, but I am looking forward to seeing her spread her wings out in the world, knowing that I've somehow contributed to helping her grow her wings so she can fly on her own.

Now, I need to quickly hire a replacement otherwise I will go nuts. I already have more than enough on my plate (reason why I haven't posted about my Bora trip) and concerned that I might not be able to attend to our wedding preparations! So, if you can recommend an account executive, drop me a line.