TennisandSales

Head Of Sales

HOW would you quit? Help.

ok so there is a good chance that I will get an offer next week to go back to the company I worked at before. (more on that to come).

BUT

the thing i am DREADING the most, is the idea of having to tell my boss im quitting.

now, if you have read some of my other post about my boss you know he kinda blows as a manager......but he is a really nice guy and really likes me. also he is CLUELESS that anything is wrong.

My question to the WR:

When I ultimately have to have that conversation and tell him im quitting......what do I say??? do i just keep it about the exciting opportunity im taking, do i mention some of the craziness he has kept up that is driving me insane? is that worth it?

this is giving me so much anxiety its insane.

🙏 Mental Wellness

🧢 Sales Management

🏋️‍♀️ Leadership

46 comments

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Kosta_Konfucius

Politicker

Sales Rep

I always talk about what I liked about working there, but this offer "was too good to refuse". Usually mention I wasnt looking but got a LinkedIn message and was very curious about the opportunity and it turned out to be a great fit.

TennisandSales

Politicker

Head Of Sales

yes. good point. the good thing is, i did not look for this they came to me so thats always nice haha

DungeonsNDemos

Big Shot

Rolling 20's all day

This is exactly how I always quit. Life's too short to choose the options where you call out their bad behavior and cause friction.

J.J.McLure

Politicker

Owner at *redacted*

my $.02 is to make sure you don't burn the bridge. I agree with @Kosta_Konfuciusto keep it positive and focus on the opportunity.

IF he asks (like an exit interview) and is open to hearing constructive criticism, then that's your time to bring up issues respectively.

SaaSam

Politicker

Account Executive

A lot will depend on the guy's ability to take criticism. I would focus more on the upsides of the new opportunity as opposed to the downsides of the current company and, essentially, his managerial skills, or lack thereof.

If you think he can take criticism without shutting down or deciding you're the problem. Then I would still focus on the upside to the new opportunity and mention his shortfalls in passing. So that he's aware of it but not that he takes it as the reason for your leaving.

TennisandSales

Politicker

Head Of Sales

yeahhh this is a great call. he has a terrible ability to take criticism haha so i think i will shy away from it.

Pachacuti

Politicker

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

I would go buy a small wooden bridge, set it up in his office, and then light it on fire. BOOM!

Actually, I would just tell him that your previous company made you an offer you couldn't refuse to come back and you've chosen to take it. Pretty simple.

Good luck!

ChickenWings

Opinionated

Tom Callahan's Son

This is the reality.

Happens all the time.

Boomerangs.

FoodForSales

Politicker

I'd love to do the burning of a bridge thing!

ChickenWings

Opinionated

Tom Callahan's Son

Billy Madison poop in a bag would be pretty great.

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

I'd write a short professional official 2 week notice email. Nothing more, nothing less.

LABillyboy

Vice President

This is the best, email or letter you can leave in his inbox.

Short and sweet, no reasons or criticism. Someday this guy might control a decision on you down the road, people move around.

Just "I have accepted a new position that advances my career goals. It's been a pleasure working with you and all of my peers here at XYZ Co."

My last day will be x/xx/xxx.

Best Wishes to all,

TennisandSales

Politicker

Head Of Sales

damn really? no 1 on 1 with the boss??? i mean i guess that is fair, also seems a little cold. but i do like the idea of trying to avoid a face to face

ABell

Good Citizen

sales recruiter

Well it depends on if you are looking to get a counter offer… My advice is to never take the counter offer anyhow- it’s simply their way of buying time in order to find your replacement.

It shows that they knew that you were worth more but chose to not pay you what you’re worth. Furthermore, you will be passed up for any future promotions…

Diablo

Politicker

Sr. AE

I wouldn’t mention about any of his craziness and keep the conversation as simple as possible. You never know you might need him again in the future :)

TennisandSales

Politicker

Head Of Sales

true....i am all in favor of NOT burning bridges.

FinanceEngineer

Politicker

Sr Director, sales and partnerships

Sign and date a baseball with “I quit, for love of the game.”

TennisandSales

Politicker

Head Of Sales

hahaha! well that would be a new one. id have to mail it to him....but ill take it into consideration

ThatNewAE

Big Shot

Account Executive - Mid enterprise

No. That's not worth it to mention how he is driving you insane.
Absolutely not worth it.

Tell them firmly about this new opportunity that aligns more with what you are looking for in career, and in life. Say a bye and hop off zoom.

TennisandSales

Politicker

Head Of Sales

ughhh but there is a bit of me thats like NEEDS someone to know how bad of a leader he has been haha

ChickenWings

Opinionated

Tom Callahan's Son

If it’s worth him knowing, you’ll still be connected to him after the sting of you leaving fades. You can leave it for that.

Insult to injury for a shitty manager is likely to result in a defensive response

Coastal_crusher

Politicker

Sales Director

For your own future, just make a call or email and inform them you are leaving. You don’t owe them an explanation

For your sanity, if you need to vent, vent to us :-) some things aren’t worth bringing up (to your bereaver) and you may regret it in the long run

Having seen you stress about this manager, fuck em - don’t let people live in your head rent free. Be a goldfish :)

Justatitle

Big Shot

Account Executive

Separate emotion from it as harsh as it may sound. Tell the truth. This is a better opportunity for me and I can’t pass on it.

TennisandSales

Politicker

Head Of Sales

so the truth is that its a better opportunity that im exited about....but the truth ALSO is that if my boss wasnt such an idiot i may not have been as open to this opportunity.

Justatitle

Big Shot

Account Executive

You can tell your boss that you didn’t feel confident in his leadership. And have it be respectful but if you want to help the next reps it would likely be appreciated by all parties, that is if they are professional.

ABell

Good Citizen

sales recruiter

I always recommend writing a letter. First Thank the company for your time with them . Then let them know that you are starting a new position in 2 weeks. Make sure to never burn a bridge…

TennisandSales

Politicker

Head Of Sales

would you do this INSTEAD OF setting a one on one with you manager?

Coffeesforclosers

Notable Contributor

Director Sales and Market Development

Keep it cordial with him and in the exit interview you can discuss the main issues, or tell the manager there was things you didnt like. Only way they can get better is to know.

buckeyenation

Acclaimed Answer

its so shitty but i have never experienced someone taking the feedback as constructive in these cases. His first move will always be to blame and cover his own ass with his bosses --> "he just blindsided me...we got along so well how could he leave..." If he were interested in the feedback he would asked long ago about how you were doing. really sad and annoying but its how these types are.

If you don't want to burn any bridge at all, just say it was hard deliberation but it was a career move that your wife said you can't turn down...

buckeyenation

Acclaimed Answer

also didn't read any other posts until now - seeing he has no ability to take criticism. lol. most humans all act the same when pushed into a corner.

TennisandSales

Politicker

Head Of Sales

great feedback here! O-H!

MeowMeow

Politicker

Senior Enterprise Account Executive

Take PTO and throw up a shitty OOO message. I had something like “Your 1 week POV of life without me has started. If you have a problem or question now is a good time to practice troubleshooting it on your own.”

It’s a terrible idea really but it brought me immense joy.

Or take the high road and say you have an opportunity you simply can’t turn down and you’d be open to sharing feedback during an exit interview if they were curious to learn more.

TennisandSales

Politicker

Head Of Sales

hahah i will 100000% fantasize about doing that......and then chicken out and try to take the stupid hight road

MeowMeow

Politicker

Senior Enterprise Account Executive

I’ve always had a level of comedy to my OOO and generally everything I do but it can come off super shitty at times. It was on brand for me 🤣 The exit interview is where I really went off the rails. Somehow, I still have a fondness for that shit show of a company and they still ask me for favors. We are basically abusive exes.

TennisandSales

Politicker

Head Of Sales

😂😂😂😂😂 abusive exes! i really hope that doesnt become me haha.

i do enjoy a witty OOO message, although im terrible at coming up with it. that should be a 2023 resolution. 😂

LABillyboy

Vice President

A good friend of mine worked for a Fortune 50 in sales. The management was typically a clique of brown noses who were very bad at managing sales people. He landed a job unrelated to the industry he was in.

He decided to quit at the monthly sales meeting. He got up and grabbed the microphone. He said "you know there are three situations you can find yourself in at work. The first is you are making a lot of money and love your job; you'll stay. The Second is you are making a lot of money but don't like your job; chances are you'll stay. I find myself in the third category; not making a lot of money and I hate my job, I quit...

His boss begged him to stay, even after his speech, told him he was making a big career mistake leaving the big brand. He still left. A year later he had more than doubled his W2, of course he sent a copy to his old boss.

That's one way you could go...

TennisandSales

Politicker

Head Of Sales

fuuuuuuuckin legend! thats straight out of a movie 😂

i do NOT have the balls to do that.

Sales_Yoda

Sales Leader

A former boss gave me his advice on the “3 B’s”. Be brief, be professional, be gone.

TennisandSales

Politicker

Head Of Sales

I like this. i can FOR SURE ramble when im nervous so ill be sure to focus on the Brief part.

JWA

Personal Narrative

Business Development Manager

Thank you for asking this. I do not have an offer but am considering a switch and wondering how to spill the beans if I do leave as I have not been around long.

RandyLahey

Politicker

Account Manager

I would skip the "craziness he has kept up". There's some potential there to burn bridges, depending on their reaction.
Stick to what you enjoyed, thank them for the opportunity and focus on the fact that the offer at the new gig was too good to turn down.
Also Rafa is my goat.

TennisandSales

Politicker

Head Of Sales

this is exactly what i ended up doing. worked out well for me.
and Roger will always be my #1 i think he CHANGED the game of tennis more than any other player.
But i really think Novak is the GOAT. the dude just does NOT stop winning!

activity

Politicker

VP, Business Development

Keep it above board and just focus on the new position. Say that it was an opp you couldn’t pass up and you appreciate their leadership. No sense in kicking a dead horse and ya never know when they could give you a referral in the future.

GingerBarbarian

Opinionated

Lead Sales

My favorite template to give criticism is FBI (Feeling, Behavior, Impact). You attack the behavior, not the person amd you talk about how and why it annoyed you.

"Can I be honest with you? I was (feeling) when you (behavior) and it made me (impact)."

I was annoyed when you kept pushing high pressure sales techniques because customers kept pushing back...

Maximas

Tycoon

Senior Sales Executive

No bro, just keep it simple just say I just got a better opportunity somewhere else and if I ever decided somewhere else definitely it would be working beside you again and he'll definitely understand!!!

RandyLahey

Politicker

Account Manager

I hate admitting it…but Djoker is the best. If you’re to teach someone how to play, I’d go with Roger. Prime Roger, that 3x 3 majors run was god mode.

Happy to hear that! Always best to play that long game, but it’s sometimes appealing to wanna watch the world burn lol.

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TennisandSales

HOW would you quit? Help.

46 comments

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