Transitions are interesting things. I recently accepted a position at a not-for-profit organization that will allow me to use my previously acquired sales and marketing experience and apply it to a mission for which I have great love. Even better, I was able to negotiate a fair wage for doing so. All of this is good news for me and my family.

The interesting and troubling part is my sense of loss with leaving my last job. I was working in sales for a company with a somewhat dysfunctional culture. Further, they were struggling as a company to make ends meet in large part because the market was changing faster than they could adapt. To make it worse, while I liked the product I sold I did not like the industry to which I sold. Bottom line: I was pretty good at the job, but not a star. I was never truly happy and lacked a certain passion for the day-to-day activities. My new job is an amazing fit for my interests and abilities. So why am I troubled at leaving my old job?

Not exactly what I was feeling...

Actually, I've been in a funk since I left. Maybe it's that I feel I left the job undone in some ways (but would it ever be done, especially in the current market?). Maybe it's leaving some people behind who I genuinely like, but don't have confidence we'll stay in touch (it's a two-way street, baby). Likely though, it was the attitude the company had when I left. They accepted my resignation, but then stopped talking to me. I was made to feel that my contribution was of little value and they were only too happy to get me out of the door once they got account information from me.

In some ways I feel like the time and energy I invested was cheapened by their actions. Although I resigned from the company, in many ways I feel like I got dumped. It's an interesting mix of feelings.

Note: A famous song by Buddy Miles that is also a favorite of my friend, Michael Bohn. What a groove!