So I'm just recovering from a bombshell dropped by my manager. I've literally been working with him since I began, and he's essentially my point of contact for all accounting related questions, regardless of the client I'm on. He's also my buffer to senior management, i.e. takes in their bs and only drops a little down to me.
Following is a recollection of my conversation.
8:30 am
Manager (after walking in, while standing up) - So there's no other way to tell you this, but I just got an offer.
(Silence)
Me - umm..ok.(We get offers every week, so I brushed it off.)
8:32
Mgr - Wow, that was easy. I wasn't looking forward to telling you.
Silence. I stare at him. He stares back. None of us blink.
8:33
Me- Wait, an offer offer.
Mgr - Yep
Me- So you're considering it??
Mgr - Yep
Me - How seriously?
Mgr - Pretty seriously
Me - You're not going to actually take it are you
Mgr - Blank Stare
8:34
Me - No F**king way. No No No..You can't..F**k...no. No shot. You serious?
Mgr slowly nods..the kind that I'd expect somebody to give you if they've got bad news for you
8:34 - 8:37 - Silence.. the kind of awkward silence you get when you're out on a first or second time date , somebody has to break the ice but nobody's doing it.
8:38 -
Me - So where are you going?
Mgr names the company and describes what it does.
Me - Oh that's such a bs company, stay here. That's such a bs company.
(It sounded pretty progressive, but he could have told me that it was Goldman Sachs and I still would have said it was a bs company)
Mgr - Well...sorry.
Me - Sorry? Oh F**k me.
Silence
8:40
Me - Why the heck are you leaving?
Me - Oh wait, that's such a stupid question coming from me?
Manager laughs, still staring that me. He is enjoying this conversation. I know he is.
(Atleast I Would)
Mgr - Well, you know, I hate client service. I want to be on the other side, yada yada yada.
At this point, I stop listening.
8:40-8:45 -
we talk about the company he's working for, and his interview process , and how he got a good vibe from the interviewers, and the new salary.
8:46 - 9
we're quiet. I'm kinda staring at my screen, stunned. I'm screwed, this is a huge client, my manager's leaving. This leaves me to deal with senior management. Not good. Not good.
9
Mgr - So, don't tell anyone, I haven't made this official.
Me -Why would I tell someone?
Mgr gives me the looks he usually gives when he thinks I'm being sarcastic.
Me - Alright, alright..I'll give it my best shot.
9:10 - I'm thinking about the drinks I'd need to drink to forget about this.
9: 12 -
Me- Is there anything we can offer you to stay. (Not that I have the power, but I was trying to gauge how sure he was about leaving)
Mgr - not really
Me - (reaching for straws) - Say the firm offers you 30% above your current levels. 50%.
Mgr - Nope.
9:13
Me - Oh F**king A (Mgr's name). You can't do this.
Mgr - (shrugs shoulders) You'll be fine. Trust me.
We get back to work. Questions interspersed along the way.
9 - 12 - I haven't done shit. I'm still recovering from his decision.
12 - I check the calendar. It's not April 1st. There goes my only hope.
12:10 - He leaves.
12:15 - I'm going to be useless the rest of the day. I leave. The bar is calling my name.
Following is a recollection of my conversation.
8:30 am
Manager (after walking in, while standing up) - So there's no other way to tell you this, but I just got an offer.
(Silence)
Me - umm..ok.(We get offers every week, so I brushed it off.)
8:32
Mgr - Wow, that was easy. I wasn't looking forward to telling you.
Silence. I stare at him. He stares back. None of us blink.
8:33
Me- Wait, an offer offer.
Mgr - Yep
Me- So you're considering it??
Mgr - Yep
Me - How seriously?
Mgr - Pretty seriously
Me - You're not going to actually take it are you
Mgr - Blank Stare
8:34
Me - No F**king way. No No No..You can't..F**k...no. No shot. You serious?
Mgr slowly nods..the kind that I'd expect somebody to give you if they've got bad news for you
8:34 - 8:37 - Silence.. the kind of awkward silence you get when you're out on a first or second time date , somebody has to break the ice but nobody's doing it.
8:38 -
Me - So where are you going?
Mgr names the company and describes what it does.
Me - Oh that's such a bs company, stay here. That's such a bs company.
(It sounded pretty progressive, but he could have told me that it was Goldman Sachs and I still would have said it was a bs company)
Mgr - Well...sorry.
Me - Sorry? Oh F**k me.
Silence
8:40
Me - Why the heck are you leaving?
Me - Oh wait, that's such a stupid question coming from me?
Manager laughs, still staring that me. He is enjoying this conversation. I know he is.
(Atleast I Would)
Mgr - Well, you know, I hate client service. I want to be on the other side, yada yada yada.
At this point, I stop listening.
8:40-8:45 -
we talk about the company he's working for, and his interview process , and how he got a good vibe from the interviewers, and the new salary.
8:46 - 9
we're quiet. I'm kinda staring at my screen, stunned. I'm screwed, this is a huge client, my manager's leaving. This leaves me to deal with senior management. Not good. Not good.
9
Mgr - So, don't tell anyone, I haven't made this official.
Me -Why would I tell someone?
Mgr gives me the looks he usually gives when he thinks I'm being sarcastic.
Me - Alright, alright..I'll give it my best shot.
9:10 - I'm thinking about the drinks I'd need to drink to forget about this.
9: 12 -
Me- Is there anything we can offer you to stay. (Not that I have the power, but I was trying to gauge how sure he was about leaving)
Mgr - not really
Me - (reaching for straws) - Say the firm offers you 30% above your current levels. 50%.
Mgr - Nope.
9:13
Me - Oh F**king A (Mgr's name). You can't do this.
Mgr - (shrugs shoulders) You'll be fine. Trust me.
We get back to work. Questions interspersed along the way.
9 - 12 - I haven't done shit. I'm still recovering from his decision.
12 - I check the calendar. It's not April 1st. There goes my only hope.
12:10 - He leaves.
12:15 - I'm going to be useless the rest of the day. I leave. The bar is calling my name.
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