Warning: Don't Burn Bridges ⚠️

Never burn a bridge at work. While it may feel good in the moment, it’s exactly just that. A short term fix.

But have you considered the long term consequences?

Let’s paint a picture:

You hate your boss. You hate the company you work for. You stopped giving a damn a long time ago. You finally found a solid job offer after weeks or months of interviewing.

Now it’s time to give your resignation.

In the heat of the moment, maybe you decide to give 0 notice. No knowledge transfer. Maybe you tell off your boss. Maybe you send a scathing resignation email. I’ve even seen someone at a client show up in the afternoon drunk and then give their resignation 😂

Some people just want to watch the world burn, right?

Let’s get into it. 4 quick reasons why you shouldn’t burn a bridge.

1: Consider your teammates 👩‍💻

You may hate your boss, you may hate your CEO, and you may hate your company. But what do you think about your teammates?

When you burn a bridge, especially giving minimal notice or knowledge transfer, you put an immense amount of pressure and stress on the rest of the team. 

You may want to stick it to the company, but trust me, chances are they’re going to continue on making money regardless. It doesn’t matter to them.

Who you really effect are your teammates on the ground floor.

2: Negative Networking 🚩

Let’s pretend you hate your teammates regardless. Or you don’t care. Whatever.

You take a new job, five years down the road you end up applying to X company. You take an interview. But guess who’s on the panel, or guess who’s on the team and hear’s your name being considered for a role.

Kyle the QA who remembers how you left the team 5 years ago flaming hot. Do you think he’s going to put in a good word for you on this role? At that point, it doesn’t matter how good you are for the position.

Trust me, this happens more than you realize.

3: The world’s smaller than you think 🌎

Ok, so let’s pretend after you were rejected from that role because Kyle the QA ratted you out. That’s only one company, right? There’s a million out there, you’re a hot shot Software Engineer and you can land anything.

Not necessarily.

Some industries have very small circles: Consumer Banking, Investment Banking, Hedge Funds, Startups, Big Tech, and more.

In these circles, everyone knows everyone.

You may not give them a reference, but you best know people are checking behind closed doors.

Again, this happens more than you realize, and I’ve seen rejected offers and offers pulled because of this.

4: Future Growth Opportunities 📈

One of the best ways to advance your career is to follow along people you’ve worked with.

Let’s circle back with Kyle the QA.

Let’s pretend you actually did give a 2 week notice. You gave a great knowledge transfer.

But instead, 5 years down the road, Kyle is now a Director at a prominent company. You apply to the role. He immediately recognizes your name. Remembers your great work and how you left the team on good terms. More importantly, how you made his life easier with the knowledge transfer you gave.

Now you’re at the front of the line & the front runner for the role.

Bonus: Mental Health

Honestly, what’s the point? Why would you let these people gain any mental real estate in your head?

You’ve won. You got another job. You never have to see these people again. So why bother? Just give your notice. Give your knowledge transfer. Don’t risk anything.