Not long ago I experienced what many would see as a setback, being asked to exit the building, leaving behind my position managing a Silicon Valley company. It was a quick 5-months and I have not put the company on my LinkedIn profile for a few reasons.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t raised to go out and get fired from jobs; in fact, my parents raised me to work well beyond the limits and don’t quit until the job was completed. It’s quite likely that I’m the only person in my family that’s ever been fired. Certainly, the only one to admit it publicly.

After being told to leave the company right in front of my employees by one of the owners, it took some time to process the entire experience into a positive outcome. It’s not like I came to work drunk, punched out an employee, or anything as fun as sent out a “Jerry Maguire” missive. Plain and simple, this was a case of misaligned management style and workplace culture and on both of our parts.

Intuition Failure
I was working for someone that enjoyed being the master and felt the need to keep a thumb on employees to increase their productivity and all metrics of progress are gut feelings. I’m more analytical and all about providing the tools, the mentorship, inserting learning and having accountability that fosters growth and ownership. My intuition didn’t pick up our differences during the interview process, as they were sold on being committed to making any and all changes to move the company forward. I knew the first days were a window to what was to come, as I immediately found a lack of integrity from the owners, multiple mistruths had been told and key financial information was not represented honestly. Nonetheless, I soldiered on, wearing my trusty cape that has always gotten me through the tougher challenges. Determined to complete my mission and make a larger impact through improving employee value.

In retrospect, I should have left when the company’s integrity became transparent. Being fired was the gift I wasn’t willing to give myself.

Lesson #1:
When the President of a company has built a culture to the current level over years of hard work, good or bad, he or she is not so interested in changing that culture. Even if the results are better employees and a more effective business.

Lesson #2:
This pushed me back to fueling my core passion.

Purpose, Vision, Strategy
The next day started with me saying, “I want to be a part of something with purpose” and being fired immediately opened the door to return to what I love – working with business owners, executives, managers, and non-profits that have a passion and vision, yet need help crafting strategic business plans, identifying their challenges, implementing marketing strategies and keeping their dreams realistic.

With that, I set a goal to work in partnership with eager companies to Plan, Create, and help Learn how to effectively manage their vision.

So, I thank you, the owner of that last box I worked in, for firing me – this provided me the kick in the pants to redefine my own purpose and vision.