Month: August 2025

I was in Seattle last week, on what I expected to be my last work trip. While I was there, I was asked if I’d consider un-resigning and staying on to help with a thing.

If you read my post about about deciding to leave – and how I felt like I was leaving before I was “done” – you’d be forgiven for thinking staying would be an easy choice.

By last week I’d spent the better part of three months handing things off and starting to plan – ok, more imagine than plan, really – a new normal.

The idea of being “funemployed” had grown on me.

On the other hand, I meant what I said about wanting Axon to succeed.

I worked with someone, years ago, who said “show me you love me, don’t tell me you love me.” Investing (more) time and effort definitely felt like showing.

So I thought about it, got input from some colleagues, and Dawnise and I talked it through when I got home.

And this morning I agreed to rescind my resignation.

Is it the right choice? I’m not sure, but helping when someone asks for your help rarely feels like the wrong one.

Funemployment will wait a bit longer.

As someone who’s spent most of his career working in “at will” America, I find long notice periods… a little strange.

It seems sensible to keep your departure on the Q.T. for a while, so only people who “need to know” get told. But someone always needs to know, so your departure is never really a secret. And before long – and long before you’re gone – practically everyone knows.

Those days and weeks can feel a bit like attending your own wake, or listening to your own eulogy.

Some stop seeking your input, stop including you in conversations, even stop making eye contact. Some decide you can’t help them accomplish… whatever it is they’re trying to accomplish anymore, and stop involving you. Anything you’ve asked for tends to fall to the bottom of people’s priority lists, or on the floor, whichever is further.

People reach out to say farewell, or find out why you’re leaving, or both. And some, who regret that you’re leaving, try to get more shared time. Try to get more of whatever they think you’re good at, or good for, in the time that’s left.

It was one of those interactions that made me write this, and suggested its title.

A colleague, who I’ve come to respect as a co-worker and value as a friend, said some very kind words about the impact I’ve had over the time we’ve worked together.

All prefaced with “it goes without saying…”

And book-ended with “and the things that go without saying are often the things most worth saying.”

Absolutely true.