December 2007, it was at this time when I truly understood the meaning of confusion. I was confused and made a big decision. It was a decision that I was torn between friendship and my job. Sometimes, I can't help but wonder what would my life be if I accepted my boss's offer? Would I be better off as a CEO than a college teacher? Yes being a CEO is such a big opportunity that would mean a bigger responsibility, new experience and a better pay. But I turned it down.One night, when I was in the office doing the usual Marketing job, I got a call from my boss asking me to meet him at the coffee house. He even said that I must not inform anyone about our meeting. It was supposed to be between him and me. I didn't feel good about doing that, so I made a note for our CEO telling him that I was going out to meet our boss. When I arrived at the coffee house I saw two people, our boss and his lawyer. So I thought, this must be serious. I smiled and greeted the two men in front of me. They were both gentlemen and offered me a seat. They started talking about how I changed and pointed out my strengths, in short they were praising me. It was nice to hear a boss doing that, so I wondered what would be. They said that they saw a great leadership skill in me and they think that I got the potential to run the company. Finally, they asked me if I was ready to take the job as the company's CEO. Wow! I couldn't speak, I couldn't think straight! I was just not ready for that. So I said, "No, thanks, but I don't think you need another CEO when we have already a good one." The lawyer said that they didn't need two CEO they were planning to fire him and have me as the new CEO. I just couldn't accept it if it would mean the end of my friend's job. I just couldn't do that. So told him that it was not right and they should talk to our current CEO about their problem and settle it instead of trying to replace him.
I just couldn't do that. I didn't think that he did something wrong and I tried to persuade our boss that they should talk about the problem and firing a CEO wouldn't help solve it. They had a little misunderstanding and I thought they could settle it before Christmas. Then my boss said that if I wouldn't accept the offer then he had to close the company and declare bankruptcy. right after our conversation. Again,I was speechless for a few minutes. All I did was stare at the two men in front of me. I wanted some strength and I found it from the cup of coffee so I held it tightly as if it could give some help. I just sat there and drank the hot coffee and burned my lips. My brained couldn't think straight, it was like I was trapped. The lawyer broke the ice and said, "Well, gel we have to go back to the office now and break the news, No big deal." What? did I hear it right? They were about to go back to the office and informed more than a hundred people that they're going to lose their jobs? What about our Christmas preparation? I was part of organizing the event and it seemed that everyone was excited. I felt sorry for everyone and even to myself losing my job that night. So I changed my mind and told them that I accepted the offer. I accepted it on the condition that they should not fire our current CEO, they have to talk about it and wait for his decision if he would resign then I would take his place. My boss thought it was fair enough. We went back to the office and things were no longer the same as before I left the place. I saw people smiling, but it was so hard for me to smile back. I couldn't fake a smile. I couldn't concentrate on my job and I couldn't share my confusion to someone, not even to my friend who was seating beside me. I just kept quiet and tried to stare at the screen. The atmosphere has changed a lot. I felt that our CEO was hurt due to some false accusations. I couldn't take his place because I know that he's doing everything that he could for the company and I never doubt about his skills. I just felt it's not a good idea to remove him in the position. So few weeks after the meeting with my boss, I made another decision. I submitted my resignation and filed a leave for a week so when I submitted my resignation it appeared as immediate because I didn't have to report the next day. He was surprised and refused to sign it but I left it in the office. I was hired in another company, same nature of business but different clients. Things were back to normal after a few days and my ex-boss even tried to convince me to go back but when I went there things changed. The CEO which was my friend also resigned few days after I left. Someone was already hired as a new CEO and they wanted me to be the Operations Manager or whatever position was available. The new CEO was a lawyer and she seemed to be very confident about bringing more money into the company which was not bad. There was just something that was telling me that I should not go back. So for the second time, I said no and left the company with no second thoughts. Looking back at that time, I was confused yet I can say now that I made the right decision. It's really true that things happen for a reason. Sometimes it's really difficult to find them but sooner or later we would see them clear. One thing is certain, things happen for a reason and usually the reason is good.
I just couldn't do that. I didn't think that he did something wrong and I tried to persuade our boss that they should talk about the problem and firing a CEO wouldn't help solve it. They had a little misunderstanding and I thought they could settle it before Christmas. Then my boss said that if I wouldn't accept the offer then he had to close the company and declare bankruptcy. right after our conversation. Again,I was speechless for a few minutes. All I did was stare at the two men in front of me. I wanted some strength and I found it from the cup of coffee so I held it tightly as if it could give some help. I just sat there and drank the hot coffee and burned my lips. My brained couldn't think straight, it was like I was trapped. The lawyer broke the ice and said, "Well, gel we have to go back to the office now and break the news, No big deal." What? did I hear it right? They were about to go back to the office and informed more than a hundred people that they're going to lose their jobs? What about our Christmas preparation? I was part of organizing the event and it seemed that everyone was excited. I felt sorry for everyone and even to myself losing my job that night. So I changed my mind and told them that I accepted the offer. I accepted it on the condition that they should not fire our current CEO, they have to talk about it and wait for his decision if he would resign then I would take his place. My boss thought it was fair enough. We went back to the office and things were no longer the same as before I left the place. I saw people smiling, but it was so hard for me to smile back. I couldn't fake a smile. I couldn't concentrate on my job and I couldn't share my confusion to someone, not even to my friend who was seating beside me. I just kept quiet and tried to stare at the screen. The atmosphere has changed a lot. I felt that our CEO was hurt due to some false accusations. I couldn't take his place because I know that he's doing everything that he could for the company and I never doubt about his skills. I just felt it's not a good idea to remove him in the position. So few weeks after the meeting with my boss, I made another decision. I submitted my resignation and filed a leave for a week so when I submitted my resignation it appeared as immediate because I didn't have to report the next day. He was surprised and refused to sign it but I left it in the office. I was hired in another company, same nature of business but different clients. Things were back to normal after a few days and my ex-boss even tried to convince me to go back but when I went there things changed. The CEO which was my friend also resigned few days after I left. Someone was already hired as a new CEO and they wanted me to be the Operations Manager or whatever position was available. The new CEO was a lawyer and she seemed to be very confident about bringing more money into the company which was not bad. There was just something that was telling me that I should not go back. So for the second time, I said no and left the company with no second thoughts. Looking back at that time, I was confused yet I can say now that I made the right decision. It's really true that things happen for a reason. Sometimes it's really difficult to find them but sooner or later we would see them clear. One thing is certain, things happen for a reason and usually the reason is good.
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