Am I the biggest idiot ever for telling my employees to quit?

Since my quitting post last week, I've been overwhelmed with responses. Dozens of comments on this blog (the most, actually, for any post ever) and on Twitter. The most heartfelt was from Gary Branger. He writes:

I'm a bit short of breath reading this. Not because I'm really really excited or because I think it is bad advice. I believe it is fantastic advice and believe everyone who hasn't followed it should. I am just unbelievably frightened right now. Seriously. Here's why.

I found out I will be losing my job (first time ever in 24 years of working) and will have some financial security for a few months. As I hammer my network looking for potential opportunities, I heard back from one of my former interns who works at a recruiting firm out of NYC now. He of course is doing his best to help me land in a new spot.

However, he sends me a follow-up note asking me why I don't start my own thing now. "Seems like the right time..." He even throws back my words from an email I sent him - This is what you said to me back on my birthday in May, just showing you again to keep you motivated

"Hoping to start something on my own before I work for someone else. The closer you get to the people who are making the real money the more you realize you should be the one doing it."

Horrified. Three kids, big mortgage, more debt than we'd like... Then there is the question of what it is you start. I'm bought in on the idea.

I'm really afraid because you could have started your post - "Hey Gary"

I need to figure out next steps. Truly one of those moments in life. I want to say thanks. Hopefully I will next year.

The comment that made me think the most was by my friend Nate Westheimer. You all know him as the head of the NY Tech Meetup. I know him as the person who bounced me in the semis from Ping Pong Lindzonpalooza. (I'll forever respect Nate for dropping everything in October and campaigning for President-Elect Obama in Ohio.)

Nate commented, "How many employees do you expect to still have on Monday?"

Here I am, an employer of 30, telling people to quit their jobs. Wouldn't that hurt my business if my own employees took my advise? Am I the biggest idiot ever? (Kass, mom and Howard Lindzon, please don't answer that question.)

First, let me say that I would support any employee of mine who came to me and said they wanted to start their own company. If they truly want to control their own destiny, then this is the best route for them.

While things are going really well at Buddy Media, I can't rule out future layoffs at the company. I don't think any company can! If we don't have the cash to pay their salaries, then we can't keep them. It's that simple. Just ask several of my friends from past companies (AY, Beckwith, Alex and others). We survived the last dot-com crash at GOLF.com by managing expenses, which included several rounds of layoffs.

However, I think startup companies like Buddy Media are ideal work environments offering a happy medium between deluding yourself and staying at a miserable job just for a paycheck and quitting altogether. Frankly, some people don't want the heart-ache and stress of starting their own company. Or they just don't have the business drive or sense. Or they are more comfortable working and not leading. Or all of the above.

Every employee at Buddy Media is an owner. So they're not just working for a paycheck. They're also working to grow the value of their equity. They don't own as much as they'd own if they started the company on their own. But they're owners nonetheless.

It is my observations that employees at startups are more likely to be doing work they like than others at larger corporations. Given we're in the social media space, I think this is true at Buddy Media. And if they don't like their work, Kass has an open door and when possible, we try to accommodate. We'd rather keep great people than see them leave because they are miserable. And if you truly are unhappy at Buddy Media or elsewhere, just leave. Life's too short.

Lastly, Buddy Media employees are impacting the company's future, from Lu, who manages the office and operations with Kass, to the entire tech team, project management, sales and Trish in finance. Everyone's job has a direct correlation to the company's future growth. Believe me, if it didn't, Kass wouldn't keep them around. I know from my own experience that having a direct impact on results is a reward in and of itself.

So I stand by my advice. I don't think I'm an idiot telling everyone, including my employees, they should quit. So go on, quit tomorrow. I doubt you'll regret the experience.

Comments

[Nate Westheimer]

Good. Your reponse is what I hoped. I got slammed back in Oct for suggesting, adjusting for the new risk of "steady jobs," this was a great climate to startup in. So - I actually hope some of your employees take heed. Regardless if they do or not, you do have an excellent crew there. Great work.