April 21, 2015: The Right Way to Handle Disappointment at Work

I recently changed employers.  On my first day on the job, around lunch, I met someone on my team.  When we were introduced, I was my normal friendly self.  The person I met was more than a little aloof.

The next day someone mentioned that the aloof person had applied for the job I got.  I was the external candidate, he was the internal candidate.  The moment he learned he did not get the job was the moment he met me.

This was not intentional.  The manager intended to let him know he had not been selected once my hire status was clear.  When that happened, he was on vacation.  His first day back was my first day on the job.

The guy, who I'll call Clark, might have been very upset outside of work.  At work, he quietly went about his business and continued doing great work.  He put in his 2 weeks notice about a week after I started.  The two events are connected, of course, but more in a personal sense than a business sense.

Since Clark put in his notice, Clark has come to me to tell me about known issues.  We have investigated a year-old problem together, found its cause and enough data to go to an outside source to get it fixed.  He has put effort into a project that will benefit the whole team after he leaves.  And he has been generally quite friendly and a good team member.

I take a few things from Clark's example:
1) When things don't go well, leave your work disappointment at the door.  The company has already moved on; you should, too.
2) Continue to be excellent.  Sulking and pouting are counter-productive to any future meeting between you and people from the company.  Build the bridges, even as you cross over them.
3) For Clark, his application came at a time when he needed to change jobs for family reasons.  When he didn't get it, he put his family first and moved on.

As Clark leaves, I'm sad to see him go.  I wish him all the best in his future work, and I'm sure he wishes us the best as well.  If only every disappointing situation could go so well.