It was time for me to go. I couldn't take the weak and chaotic leadership any longer. Let me say, I loved my job. I didn't quit my job, I quit my leadership. And I don't regret it one single bit. I left without even having another job lined up... that's how bad things were being handled. I was done with being put in positions where I had to demand unrealistic workloads on unrealistic timelines of my teams. I was done fixing messes the executives made because they don't understand the work anymore. They call them growing pains, but in reality what it is, is leadership who refuse to listen. And I'm not sure why. They truly put our members first- at the expense of the staff. It is truly awful. Our company speaks of "work-life balance" while literally demanding that we "make it work". When they demand more and we "get it done" , do they magically think time was added to our days? No, we are working 15+ hours to ensure the job "gets done". They push you to the edge then throw a carrot to show they "care" and this disgusting cycle continues. This leadership isn't ignorant. They know exactly what they are asking, they simply are choosing to look the other way. They can make any excuse they want, but so many good people are leaving and they are not the bad apples. They are the intelligent apples who value themselves enough to know that the way they are being treated isn't right. It's an easy escape to say all the turn over that we have had, in every area, is coincidental, or even a few bad ones. But that is so not the case. The people leaving, including myself, say nice things about leaving. How we left for our "dream job" or we left " to follow other passions". But everyone knows the truth. We have to play nice because we still needs to find other jobs. And it isn't a good look when you speak bad of your employer and you need them as a reference. Leadership is trying to minimize the noise of people leaving to control the perception instead or looking at themselves and truly asking what they are doing wrong, and wanting to hear the truth. They really don't want to know. I have tried. And it didn't make a difference. You only get alienated. One year ago they asked all staff in a survey about our satisfaction. The scores were so very low in management. Nothing came of it. Not one thing. Pretty disturbing. This leadership takes such good care of it's members but forgot about us, the staff. Forgot about who helped to get the business to this place. Forgot that it takes more than executives to make a business run.
Our CEO has vision. Good vision. But she is so disconnected from reality of what it takes to accomplish good work. She jumps in and out of the weeds of the work, just enough to derail and disrupt and you better not complain. Our executive of Business Development is incredibly difficult to work with or for. She makes endless promises to our customers, not even understanding what she is offering, leaving us to pick up the pieces and "make it happen". I was told the best way to work with her is to stay clear of her. Unfortunately, it is not possible. But I did my best to try. Even the rest of the execs give that same advice about her. Or you will hear- that's just her. she means well. What a pitiful response about the ones who should be your leader.
The odd piece of all of this is that I am normally an easy going and positive person. But the last years have dimmed my light and I could not foresee the current leadership being the ones to change turn things around. So here I am, unemployed. I'll find something. and until I do, I will be thankful that I am not waking up worried about what horrific emergency the next business day will bring. I with my colleagues well and the best of luck. Take care of each other.
