[f4stjack]

Kevin I am sorry but you are not the one that is fault at here. There are several red flags but most noticably your ex firm lacks accountability. You shouldn't be hired with an impulsive decision, there shouldn't be closed doors decision making andyou should not be blamed because you executed the decisions made without your input.

And getting fired after a whiteboard session with no heads up? Even though he knew he is going to fire you the next day? Man, you are BETTER off without that company. There will be other jobs, there will be other gigs but nothing is worth this.

My 2 cents anyway.

[toyg]

> getting fired after a whiteboard session with no heads up? Even though he knew he is going to fire you the next day

Clearly the actions as described, and the choice of words ("complete download"), hint at the fact that they had decided months in advance that he would go, and just put in action a transition plan without telling him (COO more involved, etc). Absolutely cynical move.

[beingflo]

Exactly my thoughts. They expected him to show initiative at an executive level while actively being excluded despite only being a PM in rank and presumably salary. Sounds like they were exploiting him.

[Moto7451]

Completely agree. Good leaders don’t run around saying “well you should have told me” right after giving a pretty clear signal that they don’t want the input.

Likewise, barging into meetings like a metaphorical Koolaid Man or Cosmo Kramer is not going to win alignment in a Leadership meeting.

That whole situation was no win for the author and is an unrealistic standard to set, especially if the company grows.

[BlackjackCF]

This workplace sounded VERY toxic. I feel bad for Kevin and how much this workplace destroyed his self-confidence.

[anotheraccount9]

Sounds like an impulsive CEO, with mixed levels of trust with his (vertical) team. A functional team doesn't get to be intermittently inclusive, while sending mixed signals on your responsibilities and expectations.

[groby_b]

So much this. Congrats, you just learned what a corporate backstabbing feels like. (And a particularly nasty one. What they did to you? You escaped from a place run by sociopaths.)

Also, please let go of the thought that companies will be in any way kind to you. That you got COBRA? Your company is legally obligated to extend that option. They did, literally, the bare minimum they were forced to do by the law.

[aj7]

And you paid for it, too.

[rendall]

I came here to say exactly this, only not as well stated! Kevin, this comment is it.