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You never know who you might run into in the future. Or whom those people could influence. That's why its better not to burn bridges for the sake of feeling goo

You never know who you might run into in the future. Or whom those people could influence. That's why its better not to burn bridges for the sake of feeling good about yourself.

jghn 12y ago
Exactly. One of the things my first boss tried to impress upon me was how small the world really was. Specifically he was referring to the software scene in Boston, but the point holds wherever. There were a handful of times over the years where holding back and not being a bridge arsonist really paid off for just that reason. It's a lot more obvious these days with things like LinkedIn. There are very few people that I would talk to for a potential new job who aren't either directly connected or 1 step away from many of my former and current coworkers. People talk, it's better to be remembered as the good guy and not the jerk.
O____________O 12y ago
That's why its better not to burn bridges This assumes the bridge isn't already burnt. If you worked for an incompetent a-hole, chances are he'll have a negative opinion of you regardless of your exit behavior. I've watched people bust their asses to leave their employer in the best position possible. The employer goes on to hold a negative opinion of them because they were too self-centered and stupid to understand the value that employee created. It was all wasted effort.
- coralreef 12y ago
  And running your mouth would just validate their opinion of you.
  - O____________O 12y ago
    running your mouth I noticed that every person arguing with me over this is using inflammatory language implying unprofessional and irrational behavior.
    - coralreef 12y ago
      Because that's how people react when they quit, and that's what you need to guard against. Its hard to not become emotional and keep the ego in check. The original post was about how it would have been a mistake if he had let his emotions get the better of him.
      - O____________O 12y ago
        Because that's how people react when they quit I'm sorry, so you're now casting my comments under the light of the tautology you're declaring? The original post was about how it would have been a mistake if he had let his emotions get the better of him. The original post was about how he stifled his criticisms and caved to the general advice to keep opinions to yourself. The exact statement was: So I backed off and gave some general feedback—hard to find interesting projects, considering a career change, that sort of thing—without going into too much detail. As other commenters here are pointing out, this is doing a disservice to the company and to your now-former coworkers. Nobody is advocating "running your mouth", whatever that highly subjective and inflammatory phrase means to you.
        jackmaney 12y ago
        > As other commenters here are pointing out, this is doing a disservice to the company and to your now-former coworkers. Again: so what? What's in it for _me_?
- jackmaney 12y ago
  If the bridge is already burnt, then there's no reason to attempt to burn it further. The leaving employee has no rational reason to participate in an exit interview.

You never know who you might run into in the future. Or whom those people could influence. That's why its better not to burn bridges for the sake of feeling good about yourself.

jghn 12y ago

Exactly. One of the things my first boss tried to impress upon me was how small the world really was. Specifically he was referring to the software scene in Boston, but the point holds wherever. There were a handful of times over the years where holding back and not being a bridge arsonist really paid off for just that reason. It's a lot more obvious these days with things like LinkedIn. There are very few people that I would talk to for a potential new job who aren't either directly connected or 1 step away from many of my former and current coworkers. People talk, it's better to be remembered as the good guy and not the jerk.

O____________O 12y ago

That's why its better not to burn bridges This assumes the bridge isn't already burnt. If you worked for an incompetent a-hole, chances are he'll have a negative opinion of you regardless of your exit behavior. I've watched people bust their asses to leave their employer in the best position possible. The employer goes on to hold a negative opinion of them because they were too self-centered and stupid to understand the value that employee created. It was all wasted effort.

coralreef 12y ago
And running your mouth would just validate their opinion of you.
- O____________O 12y ago
  running your mouth I noticed that every person arguing with me over this is using inflammatory language implying unprofessional and irrational behavior.
  - coralreef 12y ago
    Because that's how people react when they quit, and that's what you need to guard against. Its hard to not become emotional and keep the ego in check. The original post was about how it would have been a mistake if he had let his emotions get the better of him.
    - O____________O 12y ago
      Because that's how people react when they quit I'm sorry, so you're now casting my comments under the light of the tautology you're declaring? The original post was about how it would have been a mistake if he had let his emotions get the better of him. The original post was about how he stifled his criticisms and caved to the general advice to keep opinions to yourself. The exact statement was: So I backed off and gave some general feedback—hard to find interesting projects, considering a career change, that sort of thing—without going into too much detail. As other commenters here are pointing out, this is doing a disservice to the company and to your now-former coworkers. Nobody is advocating "running your mouth", whatever that highly subjective and inflammatory phrase means to you.
      - jackmaney 12y ago
        > As other commenters here are pointing out, this is doing a disservice to the company and to your now-former coworkers. Again: so what? What's in it for _me_?
jackmaney 12y ago
If the bridge is already burnt, then there's no reason to attempt to burn it further. The leaving employee has no rational reason to participate in an exit interview.