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| Ed Reed - Baltimore Sun Ad. |
When you had a long-term contract with a client and it is either not renewed or there is not a genuine interest in the skills you bring to the table, there can be a sense of uneasiness about the possible lack of appreciation of what you have provided in the past. This happens in the business world and even more visibly in the professional sports environments where both trades and free agency leave hard working indviduals in the unknown. If you gave more than 100% in your area, sacrificed your personal life, or dedicated relentlessly to the goals of the organization, it goes without saying there would be a little angst. But you must keep in mind the small degrees of separation and leave with a level of professionalism that makes them wonder if they made a mistake.
I have had contracts for my company not renewed because cheap labor infiltrated an industry that use to value quality over costs. I have had pressure tactics applied to force a decision to stay with less pay and less freedom. These situations happened after spending countless hours every week in travel and hard work while sacrificing quality time. After these experiences, you learn that clients are running a business and so are you. Take the emotion of the friends you have met and the complacency of knowing the atmosphere out of the equation. Whether you are an individual or a company, it is the same mindset - do what is best for your future, longevity, finances, and peace of mind.
That said, in following the Ed Reed departure from the Baltimore Ravens I was amazed at the ignorance in social media of the lack of understanding and hatred towards him for making a decision to move on to the Houston Texans. Then I woke up and realized that although some people are relentless in their opinions, the majority of Americans come from the old-school philosophy of work the same place for years, collect a pension and retire. These people do not take the risks of leaving an employer for a better opportunity. They stay the course and deal with anything that is handed to them to stay with their employer. It is not their fault that they do not understand the free world of "entrepreneurship" of athletes and others in the business world.
It's a business relationship no matter what championship or goal you help the organization accomplish. Simply put, if your employer or client does not appreciate your skills by paying you what you deserve or tries to force you to take a lesser pay/role after you helped them reach their goals, there is some other group that will welcome you to their team for equal or better money. If the existing employer or client is not willing to put up a fight for you, that speaks volumes that they really weren't interested in keeping you. All you can do is plan accordingly for the move to the next place and do what is necessary to stay competitive and valuable for even the next level. Say nothing negative about the organization or the people involved in the decision to allow your departure. Because you never know, those same people could be placed in control at a future place where a contract might be signed. Or they can be depending on your decision in the future to sign a contract for their employment - the sweetest revenge.
Leaving with class has no better example than Ed Reed, who took out an ad in the Baltimore Sun, to thank the organization, the city, and the Ravens fans for all the good times. Reed dealt with the situation with professionalism and departed with class - a humble approach for an extraordinary future legend who I am sure will shine with the Houston Texans.
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