This week, I found myself reflecting on the exit conversations I had with top executives of the companies I was leaving throughout my career. First, I was realizing my privilege of having that access to those leaders and I think what struck me was that as difficult as those conversations were, they helped build my confidence in who I am and how I deliver.
In my first role, at the ripe age of 27, I was promoted to manage a department in market research. I enjoyed the bump in salary but knew that I was headed in the wrong direction from a career perspective. I told the VP that I needed to course correct. I took a drop in pay to become a communication coordinator.
In my next role, after delivering exciting projects in a growing telecom industry, I was given the opportunity to leap frog from coordinator to cover a Manager’s maternity leave. Let’s just say that the leaving manager wasn’t thrilled with a coordinator taking her place so she locked all access to materials and ensured I didn’t have access to her office space. It felt insulting, and after I had huge results on the first big campaign I ran, I put feelers into the marketplace and got a great position with my next firm. I remember telling the department head that I felt ready for the bigger role and this would give me the opportunity to prove myself at almost double the pay.
Years later when I left a big technology company, the president took me aside and told me that he heard that my next company was a mess and it wasn’t too late to change my mind. For me, it was about stepping into the messiness because that’s what I do.
My last full-time in-house role, I had asked for a package. I knew it was my chance to try consulting. On the day it was announced, alongside a major reorganization where I had led communication, the president found me in the hallway and simply asked, “Are you sure this is what you want?” It was scary stepping into the unknown but I knew I needed to take the chance.
Those conversations in retrospect meant the world to me. My work and impact were acknowledged by leaders I admired and I appreciated their effort to change my mind and simply say goodbye. And little by little, these conversations allowed me to build my self worth.
Don’t ever underestimate the power of a simple conversation. The ones that say thank you on jobs well done, the advice when things don’t go so well, and the opportunity to say goodbye and allow someone to leave feeling good about their contribution. They may feel like a moment in time but they could have lasting impact.
What conversations stand out in your career?
