OsamaBinClosin

Business Development Lead

Valued Contributor

Feel bad about leaving current role

Greetings savages,

I'm dealing with a bit of an ethical dilemma and your input and honesty would go a long way here.

I've been an Enterprise AE for 2 years at my current company (first sales gig) and tbh, I'm somewhat jaded here. Our product is in a horrible state, competitors are coming in to smash us based on functionality and price, lost a few marquee deals because of the above reasons. Management is at a complete disconnect from people on the ground, product team dont have their shit together and we have little to no comms on anything going on.

That said, I have had a decent year with a good pipeline and a direct manager who has placed his faith in me and spent time grooming me (which is why i didnt leave earlier). Now, I've found a better org, unicorn start-up, zero competitors, rapid expansion rate in an industry I have a good amount of knowledge in. I nailed the interviews, negotiated a mutually agreeable salary and incentives are pretty good. I accepted that role.

When I broke the news to my manager, he seemed very disappointed and tried to sway me to stay with increments etc but I told him its not about the money (lol) and more so because I've lost my faith in management and product. This man has been very close to me and we share alot of solid moments together, he's always had my back, but working there, my mental state has become uninspired.

Am I doing the right thing? I can't help but feel a surge of guilt.

🤘 Personal Growth

🤝 Interviewing/Offer

43

51 comment

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SalesBeast

Politicker

26

Sales Leader

Your manager would fire you in 2 seconds if told to. Management is not your friend. I was fired by a boss I trusted a short time back. I thought he had my back but ended up being a dirty snake and extreme pile. Do not feel bad. They already know you are not bought in now. Worst thing you could do is stay at this point. Congrats on the new gig.

bonez

Politicker

13

Account Executive

Happened to me. Had a VP that was my buddy and turns out he recommended me for a layoff. That one stung but you just keep moving on. At the end of the day your career is for you and no one else.

SaasSlingin

Politicker

0

Sr AE

@salesbeast @bonez how did you guys react? Was it all of a sudden?

Phillip_J_Fry

Opinionated

4

Director of Revenue

Yep. It's still business at the end of the day and that trumps thinking someone is cool. If anything, maybe losing one of their best reps will light a fire under management to listen to AE's more.

GDO

Politicker

2

BDM

yeah no such thing as loyalty in coporate world

OsamaBinClosin

Catalyst

0

Business Development Lead

You guys are right man...thanks for the insights guys, this really helped shift my perspective a little :) They're trying to get the Global Head of Sales to get me to stay but I've already made up my mind

medhardwaredr

Opinionated

0

Director of Sales NA

Best answer for sure.

oldcloser

Arsonist

19

💀

Smile and waive on the way out. You ain’t there to save the company. Good on you for parlaying your experience. It’s a you do you world. Good luck in the new seat!

OsamaBinClosin

Catalyst

3

Business Development Lead

Thanks so much man, and right on :)

CuriousFox

WR Officer

7

🦊

Damn I'm really wanting to be nosy and ask what industry you're in 🤣

OsamaBinClosin

Catalyst

3

Business Development Lead

Hhaha without giving away too much, currently in Financial Institution Operations automation, moving onto a company selling a SaaS-based software for Trade, Commodity and Freight Data

Revenue_Rambo

Politicker

6

Director, Revenue Enablement

What you are feeling is completely normal. The guilt you are feeling is more toward letting down that person you've looked up to.
Go your separate ways, but work to maintain that relationship.

OsamaBinClosin

Catalyst

2

Business Development Lead

Yeah man, it really sucks cause I look up to the guy, but I need to make a smart choice here and know when to move on. If he truly knows where I'm coming from, he'd understand and appreciate this fact.

Pachacuti

Politicker

6

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

Once you make the decision to leave, leave.

OsamaBinClosin

Catalyst

0

Business Development Lead

Thanks dude, right on man

Sunbunny31

Politicker

5

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

That twinge of guilt is normal, but you’re taking care of yourself. Losing good reps like you is a symptom, and the company should be taking note.
In your case, stay in touch with your manager. Who knows - maybe you’ll be able to recommend him for a role should one become available. Congratulations!

OsamaBinClosin

Catalyst

0

Business Development Lead

Thank you so much man :) I really appreciate the kind words.

pirate

Big Shot

4

🦜☠️ Account Executive

Invite the manager with you?

OsamaBinClosin

Catalyst

1

Business Development Lead

I would for SURE if there was an opening man. I admire the dude.

pirate

Big Shot

1

🦜☠️ Account Executive

Tell that to everyone in the new org and ask if there's openings

braintank

Politicker

3

Enterprise Account Executive

Don't feel bad. You gotta do what's right for you.

OsamaBinClosin

Catalyst

0

Business Development Lead

My thought as well man....thanks bro

jefe

Arsonist

3

🍁

Taking care of yourself is always the right thing. BUT there are different ways of going about it.

Sounds like you've done things the right way. You were honest, upfront, respectful, and firm. Don't burn bridges, and see if you can maintain at least the relationship you built with the manager grooming you.

And don't feel bad.

OsamaBinClosin

Catalyst

1

Business Development Lead

I appreciate your guidance man, I'll definitely act on what I think is right.

Justatitle

Big Shot

3

Account Executive

yeah, you're making the right call to leave. Your decision is not based on your manager, if it was you'd stay there. Making sure they know that is important but ultimately you have to look out for numero uno

OsamaBinClosin

Catalyst

1

Business Development Lead

exactamundo bro

Diablo

Politicker

2

Sr. AE

Keep the emotion aside and do what’s best for you not your manager

OsamaBinClosin

Catalyst

1

Business Development Lead

Thanks dude, I agree, gotta just keep myself focused on my objective

HappyGilmore

Politicker

2

Account Executive

No need to feel bad, at the end of the day you have to do what's best for you.

OsamaBinClosin

Catalyst

0

Business Development Lead

Thanks a tonne man :)

SportsSalesGuy

Tycoon

2

Enterprise Account Executive

DONT! Do not feel bad man. Your mental health and enjoyment of what you do and where you are is WAY more important. @SalesBeast is 100% right. Management may "care for you" on a personal level, maybe, but that goes out the window if and when they need to let you go for whatever reason. Thats how corp world is unless your at the top nobody will ACTUALLY risk their own job for someone else. Its the sad truth.

OsamaBinClosin

Catalyst

1

Business Development Lead

Exactly man...I'm very jaded at this org. The product, management, the culture (non-existent, robotic)....time i took care of myself

wolfofmiami

Opinionated

1

🐺

You gotta do what’s right for you. “Your born alone in this world and you die alone in this world.”

OsamaBinClosin

Catalyst

0

Business Development Lead

amen bro

lieselfuel

Member

1

Regional Vice President

I appreciate the loyalty as a leader myself. With that said, any good leader supports what’s best for you. So just do what’s best, full stop.

OsamaBinClosin

Catalyst

1

Business Development Lead

This means a lot, thank you for the kind advice - really appreciate it. If I ever were to venture down the path of leadership, I too would want to look out for my team - even if it means they leave me for somewhere better

1

Sales Manager

You aren't the first or the last to leave; it happens. The business will go on without you, so never doubt yourself for doing what you feel is best, because your company wouldn't do differently."

medhardwaredr

Opinionated

1

Director of Sales NA

You’re doing the right thing. Don’t burn any bridges, other than that focus on the here and now and kick butt and bank! Heck if it’s that good you can bring your old manager with you!

sketchysales

Politicker

0

Sales Manager

You'd be shooting yourself in the foot if you tried to stay now. Feeling bad is normal but you got to look after you first.

SalesinSeattle

Valued Contributor

0

Account Executive

My dad's best nugget of wisdom he ever gave me entering sales is that you're a mercenary. There's no such thing as loyalty anymore, this isn't the fifties. You go where you are paid and fed the best. Nobody will look out for you but you.
Also, on a funnier note, you can take the golden words of Marsellus Wallace...
Marsellus : The night of the fight, you may feel a slight sting. That's pride f**king with you. F**k pride. Pride only hurts, it never helps.

salesassassin1

Member

0

Executive Consultant and Sales Coach

It sounds as though you’ve handled it very positively. Stay professional and leave emotions out of it. You have to make decisions that align with you and your values above all else. As parole have already said, if the company decides to go in a different direction, they will do the same. The key in business to always make decisions in an upfront way give notice and stay logical and pragmatic over emotional. People and businesses will always act in their own self interest for what’s best for them. When we understand and accept that, every decision becomes very clear and easy to make. Your manager should understand accept that. If I have a team member who feels the way you do, I would want them to leave as their productivity will drop as will the culture of the company.

RelationshipMaker

Opinionated

0

Head of Sales

Of course you feel some guilt but that’s perfectly normal. You’re in this for you and these feelings will fade over time. Stay in contact with your boss, remain humble, explain that you’re feeling guilt but that you’re trying to better yourself and forge a career. No one can fault you for that. Good luck in the new gig.

comms101

Member

0

Global Account Manager

If I can add one piece of insight similar thing happened to me end of 2021, I didn’t have faith in leadership above my VP. I disliked the internal systems. I wanted cutting edge tech, culture, etc. I put in my notice my current boss actually countered about$65k. Bringing ote up to $250. Wrote this amazing heartfelt letter to leadership to make me a hipo candidate and mgmt track. I still left. I then went to the new org and was completely out of my zone. New manager was amazing, his boss however was not. She was the worst. He went out on pat leave. I then pivoted to a new team and product right as he was coming back. He was gone in the first round of layoffs. Slammed dunked my first qtr in the new product. They shuffled the org chart had another round of layoffs. I killed Q2. Then I said something out of context that “violated” a policy to a client. Gone without a thank you or consideration for my performance. Called my old boss and got a bump in pay and title.

MrMonte

Arsonist

0

Head of Sales

Wait, but can you Bravdo Flex on them and do fractional work for your soon t be old company? Win-win.

Deluno

Fire Starter

0

Account Executive

Was in the same situation now, not easy but you come first

SerialBiller

Executive

0

Account Executive

See!! We sales people have fucking hearts regardless of the naysayers... That being said, I would forget all about them and simply focus on the new job :)

bigfella

Tycoon

0

AE (Account Executive)

Crazy name - quit

SiliconBBQ

Politicker

0

The Metal Rooster

Look out for number 1.

Trust he will.

lieselfuel

Member

0

Regional Vice President

If your manager really has faith in you, while obviously disappointed- they will still remain in your corner. If not, then you learn about who they are. Do what’s right for you, not the company.

Dantback

Executive

0

SDR

Not a single company cares about you. They would all be fine throwing you to the curb. I worked for a startup focused on caregiving benefits, super nice people, super supportive, the type you would never think would screw you over. After getting laid off, I remember the company tried to take action against me legally because I posted about the layoffs and they considered that disparaging comments and threatened to take my severance away. In 4 months I added 5million to the pipeline and smashed expectations and the company hit me with a 180, laid me off, threatened to take legal action against me, and refused to me a reference for me and it sucks extra because I had a passion for selling their solution

Shabadoo

Contributor

0

Head of Growth

As a sales manager myself, you don’t owe us. You out in two years. Would I like someone to stay longer of course, but you did it all above board. Our job as sales managers is to deal with this stuff.

Enjoy the new job. You can always encourage your manager to get out and do them a solid but you don’t owe them that.

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