Klowns in my Koffee

I was reading one of my career development newsletters today that included an article about not quitting in dramatic or destructive -- albeit very funny -- ways "if you expect to get a good recommendation." It's that last part that was illuminating since it implies that you can make as big an ass out of yourself as you want if a letter of recommendation is not a goal.

As Spock said, "After a time, you may find that having is not so pleasing a thing, after all, as wanting. It is not logical, but it is often true." I doubt he had quitting your job in mind, but it's a common fantasy to anticipate the ultimate gotcha. Our better selves often reign us in and the perfect, stinging farewell so rarely occurs.

One of my job search counselors uses the phrase, "Do not leave crispy bridges."

Life is not the movies. In the movies, characters know how to use silence and exits. Sadly, the other real people in the scenes that compose our lives have not read the scripts and usually don't say what they are supposed to and, some of the time, not even anything that makes sense.

If we can't exit stage right with a flourish, then we are stuck in the real world with the possibility that we are all closely interconnected and that our misbehaviours might haunt us. The way one ends something is as least as important as how one starts it. However you leave a work situation, it's important to do it professionally and with both style and class. It's likely that you'll outshine your surroundings and that's fine. Twenty years from now, you may not remember in specific detail an incompetent boss or that neurotic in HR, but you'll remember your own behavior in leaving a bridge without flame.

Just for kicks, here are some job quitters who did not take this advice:

Musical resignation ritual (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PJt0DXdZ0k&feature=PlayList&p=3A90654BB7E3ABB8&playnext_from=PL&index=0)

Manager resignation (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrZGDAdF1us&feature=PlayList&p=3A90654BB7E3ABB8&playnext_from=PL&index=1)