Choose Your Battles Wisely

I crashed his farewell dinner to show support and to see how everyone is doing. It had been a long month and here we are in solidarity and reflecting on the laid offs. Putting together the whole picture from the moment we shared our goodbyes that day to the events that followed. “You are not a failure, the bank failed you”. “I will not let this happen to someone else” they said.

I’m sorry I did not speak up. The truth is I’m neither a coward nor a “saint”. I just fight my battles differently and I try to focus more on the positives. But I understand your frustration. I know you feel hurt and betrayed. You simply cannot comprehend how an organization of which you dedicated years of your life would let someone toss you away like trash when he/she no longer required your service (without any warning). It was ruthless, distasteful, and unjust. Especially you had just been recognized for outstanding service. I hear you and I admire your strength to retaliate. But I choose to leave in peace and here is why.

No Longer Worthy of My Time

The minute I walked out of the building, I was done and I was never going back. I know that my time would be better invested to heal and to look for new opportunities instead of trying to schedule meeting with decision makers to correct the wrong in this place or worst, complaint. I gave enough time to help the bank grow and now I need to invest my own time to help myself. And I’m not going to let my years of hard work and dedication being overshadowed by leaving as a disgruntled (ex) employee.

It is a Losing Battle

I know you are upset. But think about what you are trying to achieve and the consequences of your actions. So you filed a formal complaint and what are the chances that he/she of whom you complained about will actually get reprimanded? He/she said it was due to restructuring and that is an acceptable excuse in our realm of business despite how it was callously done. Think about your next job application. What would he/she said to your potential employer about you when they call for reference? What about future business encounters? Remember, it is a small world and perception is everything.

Think About the Positives

I value my journey at the bank. The people I encountered, my experiences, and the growth. What others see as negatives for me was opportunities. 

1. The years of endless grunt work paved the way for strategy sessions, implementation, execution, and the entirety of the business through and through. I always said I had the best seat in the house because I was part of every business segments and I learned from each of their unique styles and deliveries from P’s analytical thought process to J’s marketing capabilities, and P’s methodical execution, and more. Eventually, I found my own. 
2. The days that really helped built my character, tolerance, and agility. You heard someone being disrespectful, I focus on building my strength and delivery. Those days will carry me through challenges ahead.
3. He/she taught me how to run the business and management style. “I built a business from scratch that is not the strategy I was looking for”, “I don’t like telling people what to do, that’s not my style”, “they never know what I would do”. He/she brought discipline in the business and focus on the numbers. He/she gave me the push I needed to not be complacent and leverage other opportunities to continue building on my strengths and capabilities. 

There is still a long battle ahead. Stay focus on your goals and do not get distracted by impulses. Everything happens for a reason, believe in yourself, and let’s keep moving forward.