"Not to be born is the best thing of all and the next best thing is to
die soon after", said a great Greek playwright once. Almost two and a
half millenia later, those powerful words have not lost their poignant
profundity. As Arnold Toynbee had observed just a little bit earlier
in our own time, the greatest problem of mankind is spiritual
suffering, and no amount of plumbing and central heating can alleviate
spiritual suffering. Yet, much as I resonate strongly with the ultimately
pessimistic wisdom of Sophocles and Toynbee, I believe we should make
the best of what we have. When it comes to parting, I think Fonzie
packs the most punch (although Nick Romano said it first according to
Richie) "Live fast, die young, leave a good-looking corpse".
Now that I've been around the block a few times, I think that Fonzie's
counsel applies equally well to people's careers. When's the best time to
leave? Of course, the answer is different if you are a founder, or
you are treated like one. You would carry what I call the founder's
fardel - The company is as much a part of you as you are of it, and
you relish the burden on your back - Like Hotel California, "you can
check out any time you like, but you can never leave". But for almost
every one else, I think this is what I've learnt: The best time to
leave is when you've done a great job, you've delivered on your
commitment, you're having fun, you're proud of yourself, and you have
successfully and fearlessly made yourself redundant (or almost).
I agree it is difficult to leave when things are looking
good. Too tempting it is to lay back and enjoy the fruits of hard work
we have poured into an undertaking. The challenge is not unlike a
heart-rending decision to sell off your company when it is on an
upswing rather than on a high plateau. Even the great Yoda recognizes
the immense difficulty in making this decision: "Ready he is, to teach
an apprentice. To let go of his pupil, a greater challenge it will
be". But deferring the immediate gratification of basking in the
comforting warmth of today's achievements is not only a mark of
maturity, but also a prudent and pragmatic choice. Rosier memory
will offer much needed solace at later and trying times. One would
have to be extremely arrogant to pretend these do not to exist down
the road.
After the amazing
progress we made on all fronts over the last months, I feel the
timing is just right for my departure from 33Across. I feel good about
the company; it is poised for great success. I think it has enough
forward momentum to pull through even tough times, except for
extremely grave missteps in strategy. We have together learned, I
hope, important things through experience as we built a fantastic team
and took the company from nebulous notions to power-packed
products. And so I bid a fond farewell to 33Across, a
roller-coaster I am so glad to have gotten on almost two years
ago. Indeed what better time to revive my passion for mobile and
location-based technology than when the Google phone has just out!
Since I started this note paraphrasing a great man, it's only fitting
that I end it with the words of another great human, this time from
our own time, our own soil, and one whose birthday it is tomorrow. At 33Across, we once
jokingly referred to our ad targeting segments as precision guided
missiles that would take each ad to exactly the person that would want
to see it. Dr King's observation continues to relevant in our new
context also. "May we never have guided missiles and misguided men."
Comments (2)
Anand, I will be forever grateful that our paths have crossed. You will be missed - but although I have lost a brilliant boss, I have not lost my wonderful friend.
33Across is indebted to you. Indeed, you built us up then made yourself almost redundant. I sincerely thank you for your inspiration and leadership.
The future is bright, welcoming and challenging - not because it is made of atoms, but because it is made of ideas.
I see you and your family forever embraced in infinite Life, Truth and Love.
Your friend,
Mike Foster
Posted by Mike Foster | January 16, 2010 11:07 AM
Posted on January 16, 2010 11:07
Dear Mike - I am touched. Thank you for your kind words, and I hope our paths intersect again. I am the fortunate and privileged one to have been able to work side-by-side with you.
My best to you and your family too.
&
Posted by Anand | January 16, 2010 3:07 PM
Posted on January 16, 2010 15:07