I completed my weekly report just in time for the noon deadline when my boss asked me to meet him in his office. I entered and there was Harold from HR on my left and someone I’d never met – a union representative – on my right. Within moments, my life changed.
My first thought – was it me? Was it my performance? “No! Not at all! We love you!” said my boss. The union rep explained that someone with more seniority “bumped” my position. I was given a few hours to go; I answered emails, alerted my clients, sent my boss relevant documents and said my goodbyes. Why was I so poised and focused, so upbeat and cheerful?
I was excited.
Part of my job – the executive coaching part – I loved. But there were other parts that didn’t feel like a fit. I had been struggling with it for a while. My 30 days notice felt like a signal from the universe – it’s time to move on.