startup I helped founding. I was the first engineering hire there. Gave my blood and sweat
But you weren’t a founder and could get ignored or fired anytime. Been there done that, required a therapy session to even realize the fact. It’s easy to fall into this “we” trap. There’s no “we”.
I was transparent about my feelings, I got a call from my direct manager (one of the founders) and was fired. <skim>. They always said that it was ok to be transparent about my feelings, but it actually got me fired
Time to learn a lesson. Only be transparent about feelings which you think will get you into a better position (\1). You may have thought you’re something like a child of this company, but you are not. It isn’t a family, and they’re not your friends, though it’s so nice to think about it that way.
how to avoid burning bridges
Avoid contact for half a year or so (avoid blocks too). You may have left an impression, they may have left it too, but it will fade away eventually. Take your time to realize what you missed and imagined. And if you’d be still interested in them (may be not), contact with an explanation/reintroduction that statisfies \1.
But you weren’t a founder and could get ignored or fired anytime. Been there done that, required a therapy session to even realize the fact. It’s easy to fall into this “we” trap. There’s no “we”.
I was transparent about my feelings, I got a call from my direct manager (one of the founders) and was fired. <skim>. They always said that it was ok to be transparent about my feelings, but it actually got me fired
Time to learn a lesson. Only be transparent about feelings which you think will get you into a better position (\1). You may have thought you’re something like a child of this company, but you are not. It isn’t a family, and they’re not your friends, though it’s so nice to think about it that way.
how to avoid burning bridges
Avoid contact for half a year or so (avoid blocks too). You may have left an impression, they may have left it too, but it will fade away eventually. Take your time to realize what you missed and imagined. And if you’d be still interested in them (may be not), contact with an explanation/reintroduction that statisfies \1.