It's Not You, It's Me... Why I'm Leaving a Great Job...
August 27, 2010
I always coach people to get the hard news out in the first 10 seconds of any conversation, so here it is: I’m leaving DAXKO. Giving up the title, the perks, the fame...
Who's going to supply me with free Diet Mt. Dew now? Maybe I should have thought this through...
I kid. You’ve heard the expression, “it’s not you, it’s me”, right? Well, that’s very true in this case, and that was the title of the email I sent out to the rest of the company a couple of weeks back. In the time I’ve been at DAXKO, I’ve had fun, learned a lot and hopefully added some value along the way. My reason for leaving is pretty simple – I’ve been feeling the tug to do something purely entrepreneurial for over a year, and I’ve made the decision it’s time to do that. I’m not leaving to take another job, but to own my own thing. I’ve got interest in doing 2-3 things in the broader HR world/recruiting space, and I’ll be putting those plans together in the next couple of months. My plan is to take a two to three year run at getting a business off the ground.
I've talked openly with Dave Gray, our CEO, for months regarding what was on my mind. The fact that I was able to have those conversations, lead and close the search for my replacement before my final day (annoucement coming soon) and am open to coming back to teach at the DAXKO Leadership Academy tells you all you need to know about how I feel about the company. DAXKO's a great place.
Tug to do my own thing. Check.
Leave a great job. Check.
Double-dip recession. Check.
What could go wrong?
But you gotta do what you gotta do. It's up to me to make it happen. Cue the music.. ("Changes" seems an appropriate choice, but I'll leave it up to you whether it's 2Pac or David Bowie in the background. I vote 2Pac..)
I'll keep you posted on what's happening with the change. If you've ever wanted KD to work on something on behalf of your company, organization or you, now is a good great time to ask.
I'm out...
Congrats Kris! Look forward to hearing more about your entrepreneurial adventures.
Posted by: Sharlyn Lauby | August 27, 2010 at 08:58 AM
Congrats on the move KD! I look forward to learning about what you'll be doing next.
Posted by: Jennifer McClure | August 27, 2010 at 09:00 AM
Congrats and good luck!!! You'll kick ass no matter what you do. Does this mean more time to have coffee with me and April? :)
Posted by: HR Minion | August 27, 2010 at 09:04 AM
Good luck in your future endeavors, KD!
Posted by: akaBruno | August 27, 2010 at 09:06 AM
Congrats on the move! Looking forward to hearing about all of your new adventures!
Posted by: Crystal Peterson | August 27, 2010 at 09:08 AM
Kris - This is phenomenal !! I know you'll do amazing things (like you already have).
Posted by: Steve Browne | August 27, 2010 at 09:08 AM
KD -
I've always got an extra cold Diet Dew in the fridge and have been actually looking to put it on tap at HRU - so you can stop by and crash in a cube any time!
T
Posted by: Tim Sackett | August 27, 2010 at 09:14 AM
"Tug to do my own thing. Check.
Leave a great job. Check.
Double-dip recession. Check.
What could go wrong?"
What could go wrong... everything... nothing! But you never know until you try right!
What seperates those who are brave from those that have fear? The will to TRY!
Wish you the best!
Posted by: Benjamin McCall | August 27, 2010 at 09:20 AM
Good for you Kris! And a valuable lesson for companies to mimic - to get trust, you've got to give it. Transparency and communication are where it's at. You will continue to support their employer brand because you were able to openly and honestly discuss your thoughts and plans. Best of luck to you!!
Posted by: Jen Turi | August 27, 2010 at 09:26 AM
Wow -- that's big news. First Laurie R., now you: it's an entrepreneurial epidemic. Best wishes for good luck and continued success!
And here's a great resource for solo-flyers everywhere, if you haven't found it already: http://www.freelancersunion.org/.
Posted by: kentropic | August 27, 2010 at 09:28 AM
Be the ball Danny.
Posted by: Steve Boese | August 27, 2010 at 09:40 AM
I vote David Bowie, only because it's more appropriate to what you're doing. Best of luck, KD!
Posted by: Chris Ferdinandi - Renegade HR | August 27, 2010 at 09:42 AM
Add me to the long list of people who are sure you are going to be wildly successful on your new ventures. Congratulations.
Posted by: R. J. Morris | August 27, 2010 at 09:43 AM
!!!
Congratulations! You will love it.
Posted by: Alison Green / Ask a Manager | August 27, 2010 at 09:49 AM
This is definitely a bittersweet moment for those of us at DAXKO. We will definitely miss having you as part of our team. I'm looking forward to hearing more about what's next for KD.
Posted by: Jasonfbenton | August 27, 2010 at 10:16 AM
Good one, Kris. Best of luck in your new (ad)venture. I'm always glad to see people following their bliss.
Here's a Hugh McLeod cartoon that I think symbolizes what you're doing: http://www.gapingvoidgallery.com/product_info.php?products_id=1675
Posted by: Frank Roche | August 27, 2010 at 11:29 AM
Wow Kris:
WHAT A WAY TO GO. BEST OF LUCK AND WE ALL WILL BE WATCHING AND WAITING FOR MORE GREAT CONTRIBUTIONS!
Posted by: Marge Musumeci | August 27, 2010 at 11:47 AM
So excited, Kris. Might I suggest the Humpty Dance as your theme song?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cj9_yW8tZxs
Posted by: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=632019852 | August 27, 2010 at 12:07 PM
Welcome to the club Kris! I'm sure whatever you decide to pursue will be fantastic. It's the year of the HR-preneur. :)
Posted by: Mark Stelzner | August 27, 2010 at 01:01 PM
Congrats Kris - so exciting!
Posted by: Lisa Rosendahl | August 27, 2010 at 01:27 PM
The fact that you have so many well-wishers is a good indication that you've made a good decision and executed it well.
As a independent consultant, I can totally relate (although heading into my 3rd year of biz - the economy issue was not at play whenI made the decision, but boy I learned from it!).
Make sure you read the book the E-Myth - prepare for the fact that working in your business and on your business are two different things.
Best of luck and keep on blogging!
Posted by: Holly MacDonald | August 27, 2010 at 01:43 PM
Kris, scratch that itch man... in two weeks, if yellow pustules appear... please seek professional medical attention...
Posted by: William Tincup | August 28, 2010 at 08:18 AM
Exciting news Kris! Remember the first rule of the entrepreneur: You can't stear a ship that's not moving.
BTW what did Bowie mean when he said "I watch the ripples change their size but never leave the stream of warm impermanence"? I guess he was a coke head.
Posted by: Mike Carden | August 29, 2010 at 06:33 PM
Best of luck to you, and I hope I have the opportunity to engage your services in the future!
Posted by: TalentCigar | August 29, 2010 at 11:23 PM
Best of luck, Kris. Being your own boss is like nothing else.
Jessica
@blogging4jobs
Posted by: Jessica Miller-Merrell | September 01, 2010 at 12:10 PM
Wishing you much success Kris...you'll do great! Marguerite
Posted by: Marguerite Granat | September 03, 2010 at 08:40 PM
Best wishes Kris! I can't wait to see your next success take shape. Cheers!
Posted by: Traci Deveau | September 03, 2010 at 10:49 PM
Best of luck. I know you will do well. I also left a great company (Blue Cross) to start my own business and I'm loving it.
Posted by: senitra | September 03, 2010 at 11:23 PM
Congratulations- I know you will be very successful!-
Posted by: Debbie Brown | September 04, 2010 at 05:12 PM
Congratulations Kris!I am excited for whatever your next venture is. Best of luck and thank you for all the great guidance.
Posted by: Chris Frede | September 10, 2010 at 02:02 PM
You Da Man Kris! Follow your dream and the rest of us will be here to support you in any way!
Posted by: David Morris | September 10, 2010 at 02:29 PM
Love these other names! And alternative mix-in options! I have only ever heard it called Skippy and boy do we make it by the bucketful at all my Virginia college parties!!
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