"Boss and Mentor Fired: Do I Follow Her to New Job?" - 04/24/19 Edition
Stephen Says Column




Dear Stephen:

I have an awkward situation at work. I work for a manufacturer and have my dream job as an A&D rep selling a product I love. I'm in my mid-30s, and before this job I worked at a dealer and always wanted a job like this. It just took me awhile to make the transition from a dealer to a manufacturer. The dealer gave me my first break but once I went to my first presentation at the Herman Miller showroom (I worked at a Herman Miller dealer), I knew that a manufacturer was where I wanted to be.

I was good enough to sell Herman Miller product at one of their dealers, but a year or two later when I applied directly to them I was rejected because I worked for one of their dealers! At least that is what they told me. Eventually I got a chance to interview at a another manufacturer — a Miller competitor — and the regional manager and I were in sync right from the start. She thought I had the energy and skill set to be an asset to her company. She took a risk, but with great training and lots of support it has worked out wonderfully.

Last month she was fired, and I was devastated. Apparently she got a generous severance, probably with some conditions because I'm still not sure what happened, and she has not badmouthed the company. Last week she landed a job as a regional manager at another manufacturer, a firm not quite as A&D orientated as where I am. It's decent but a step down from a design point of view. For my friend and mentor I think it is a paycheck. It happened fast, and she seems happy. She called me for drinks and hinted she wanted me to come work for her, but did not outright ask me. I think she wanted (or expected) me to ask.

Do I seem ungrateful or disloyal because I want to stay where I am? We already have a new boss here, from outside the company, so something must have been in the works. He seems like he will be fine, but let's see. I am ahead on my sales goal and love my job, but feel a bit guilty because I owe her in some part for my success. How do I handle this?

Signed,

Do I Stay or Do I Go?
 

Dear DIS/DIG:,

Stay put! It sounds like the ex-boss you describe does not have an ax to grind at the company you work for, even though she was fired, or she would have come right out and asked you to join her instead of just hinting. It also sounds like you know you are with an A-player brand, and that is important in a design driven business. Your ex-boss gave you a break, and it turned into a friendship, so tell her you miss her, sorry she was let go, but you are staying put. No need to say more. No gossip or griping about the new boss to your old boss.

Help the new boss learn about the company and make him feel you appreciate your job. Let the old ties go and focus on the current employer who is paying your salary. This could have been more complicated since people who are fired get bitter and want to raid the former employer and others may have signed a severance agreement restricting them from poaching (maybe the case with your ex-boss). Either way, I am reading this as you go from an A-grade design brand to a B or C brand. You like your job and your customers, and I am sure you will like your new boss, so stay put and stay focused. If you have a hiccup with your new boss over the next year, start looking and, hey, think about applying back to Herman Miller now that you are not working for one of their dealers but a direct competitor. If you ever decide to do that, go right to the website and apply online. A little birdie tells me there are lots of changes going on there, and they may be hiring!

Best,

Stephen
 

You can send your workplace questions to Stephen at: StephenSays@bellow.press
Questions selected to be answered, will appear in this column. Please use the Subject: Stephen Says for all emails.
Stephen Viscusi is a bestselling author, television personality, and CEO of The Viscusi Group,
global executive recruiters located in New York.
Follow Stephen on Twitter @stephenviscusi, Like Stephen on Facebook; and follow him on LinkedIn.