She Strengthens

A Brush with Termination: A Wake-Up Call

I recently had a close call with termination, and it shook me to my core. Despite my initial reluctance to share the experience, I’ve come to realize that it’s an important lesson worth sharing.

The Warning Signs

About a month before the incident, my manager was let go, and I was informed that a new Director would be taking over. The VP of my department hinted at recurring issues that my former manager had passed off as my responsibility, which wasn’t entirely accurate. This conversation left me feeling uneasy, but I didn’t think much of it at the time.

Heeding My Dad’s Advice

My dad’s words of wisdom echoed in my mind: “Don’t get too comfortable. The new boss will come in and make changes.” I took his advice to heart and began to assess my performance, making a mental note of my accomplishments and areas where I’d added value to the company.

The Writing on the Wall

Two weeks before the incident, I was asked to train a new recruiter, which seemed like a positive development. However, looking back, it was likely a sign that my role was being phased out. I’d been receiving positive feedback from my superiors, but it turned out that my “good attitude” was about to become a liability.

The Conversation That Changed Everything

One evening, the VP of HR asked to speak with me, and I knew something was amiss. He asked how I felt things were going, and I rattled off my list of achievements, highlighting the projects I’d been working on and the value I’d brought to the company. The silence that followed was deafening, and I sensed that I was on thin ice.

Narrowly Avoiding Termination

The next day, I confided in a coworker about the conversation, and he reassured me that I was overreacting. However, when the new manager asked the entire team to leave the office, I knew something was wrong. It turned out that my coworker was the one being let go, and I was left shaken.

The Aftermath

In the weeks that followed, I struggled to come to terms with what had happened. I felt uneasy about my job, and it took time for me to learn to trust my new manager. I realized that I’d been lucky to escape termination, but it was a wake-up call that I needed to take control of my career.

Lessons Learned

This experience taught me the importance of having a “fuck-you fund” and diversifying my income streams. It also made me appreciate the value of my current job, despite its limitations. I love my team, the company, and the freedom to work on projects that excite me. However, I know that I need to continue to mark my wins and keep tabs on my work to ensure that I’m not caught off guard again.

Regaining Confidence

It’s taken time, but I’m slowly regaining my confidence and sense of job security. I still have moments of anxiety, but I’m working on trusting my abilities and focusing on my strengths. By next Spring, I hope to have fully regained my footing and feel secure in my role. Until then, I’ll keep pushing forward, grabbing projects, and marking my wins.