It has been over two years since I made a major life changing announcement … so you could say I am due.  Well guess what …

Today, I gave my notice of resignation to my current employer, Bodycote Thermal Processing. It comes nearly on the two year and one month anniversary of my start in the position. In it’s context, that time feels too brief and too abrupt; but it was a change I needed to make for more than a few reasons.  I do have a new job I am going to, but I am going to save that for the next post – just because saying goodbye and saying hello are two different things.

If you are keeping track, this is the second job in a row that I left after only two years.  While some would argue that such short lived posts are now the common trend, there’s no doubt that some of you, professionally close or not, would raise an eyebrow on that kind of track record.  Well, believe me, that is a trend I am not wild about either.  But without a doubt, this was a change that was necessary.  My loyal Bearfeeders know that this job required loads to travel, and loads of time away from Boston. The position also had some difficult challenges for support and scheduling.  Boston created it’s own challenges, most of which were a direct result of the time I spent away.  So, now that is coming to an end.

But it does mean saying farewell to many of those I worked with and drew close to over the last couple of years.  My role was as much a consultant as it was a mentor to many on my team.  While I had no one directly reporting to me, covering twenty-five plants meant I had at least twenty-five people I got to work with, learn from, and develop.  Many of them were an absolute pleasure to work with, and I feel absolutely honored to do so.  I am still in the process of talking to many of them and letting them know but understandably the range of reaction is expansive …
One nearly got teary eyed
One thought I was just pulling his leg
One seemed more intent on getting back to work
One laced enough profanity to make a pirate blush … mostly because he was trying to get  a project done just to get me off his back, and now he won’t have me to congratulate him for it

As the news continues to get out about this change, I was reminded of a song from the big musical Wicked called ‘Defying Gravity’.  The show, based on the Wizard of Oz’s Wicked Witch of the West, has a key point where the witch flies for the first time on her broom at a turning point of the story.  As she does, she escapes those who are after her but gives hope to what will come ahead with the lyrics: