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I took the other fork in the road. After joining a company several years ago in an executive position, I witnessed the CEO treating other employees horribly, a

I took the other fork in the road. After joining a company several years ago in an executive position, I witnessed the CEO treating other employees horribly, and remember thinking that I'd leave if he ever treated me like that. Unlike the OP, I didn't make a principled stand at the time. By the time it inevitably happened and I was subjected to the same level of disrespect and disdain, I was too invested financially and too critical operationally to leave. Even though I had enough leverage to push back, it still made for a miserable work environment to see the CEO disrespecting everyone else, and it was never pleasant having to fight to preserve personal boundaries every day. Not shockingly, nearly every hire left within 6 months. It ultimately worked out decently from a financial standpoint, but I'm still torn on whether I would make the same decision again.

tych0 14y ago
> too critical operationally to leave This seems odd to me. If the guy is really that much of an asshole, why do you care if you leave him holding the bag? Maybe he'd learn something from the experience. The financial investment I totally understand, but you have to look out for #1.
- devils_bargain 14y ago
  I meant that the company would likely tank without me, so I would lose the financial investment if I left.
  - Avenger42 14y ago
    Knowing the company would tank, why not call the CEO on his behavior? I'd think the worst he could do is fire you or push you to quit, after which his investment is gone too.
- j_baker 14y ago
  Truly manipulative people are usually very good at taking advantage of people who have integrity. It's not that he didn't want to look out for himself, it's that he felt it was morally wrong for him to leave. The boss probably encouraged this.
  - konradb 14y ago
    And in general, if one is in a position where they have little experience but integrity, it might not even occur to them that someone would be doing this. You'd never do it to someone else and you project your attitudes on to them. If you strive to see the good in people it can take your attention away from the bad and leave you in such nasty situations.

tych0 14y ago

> too critical operationally to leave This seems odd to me. If the guy is really that much of an asshole, why do you care if you leave him holding the bag? Maybe he'd learn something from the experience. The financial investment I totally understand, but you have to look out for #1.

devils_bargain 14y ago
I meant that the company would likely tank without me, so I would lose the financial investment if I left.
- Avenger42 14y ago
  Knowing the company would tank, why not call the CEO on his behavior? I'd think the worst he could do is fire you or push you to quit, after which his investment is gone too.
j_baker 14y ago
Truly manipulative people are usually very good at taking advantage of people who have integrity. It's not that he didn't want to look out for himself, it's that he felt it was morally wrong for him to leave. The boss probably encouraged this.
- konradb 14y ago
  And in general, if one is in a position where they have little experience but integrity, it might not even occur to them that someone would be doing this. You'd never do it to someone else and you project your attitudes on to them. If you strive to see the good in people it can take your attention away from the bad and leave you in such nasty situations.