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Discussion on: What's your sense of "duty" to your team?

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Anna Simoroshka

I worked in a tiny company, we were three people total, and then one guy left. When I started thinking I would be happier doing something else, it was really difficult to make this decision exactly because of the feeling of duty, responsibility, and guilt. Yes, guilt was the main thing I had to work through.

But in the end, it is your life, your happiness, your career progress. And you largely not responsible for the teams, bosses, and companies you leave.

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Chris Lewis

It's nice to know I'm not the only one that feels that way! You're right, only I can make the best choices for my career so I should take these opportunities where I can.

One could maybe even argue that if my current team is not where I'd be happiest in a couple months from now, that I might not do my best work, and so it will be better in the long run for the team to have someone else in that spot.

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Anna Simoroshka

That's a very good point!

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Conlin Durbin

I was in this boat just this year, as the one leaving. I am good friends with the other people and leaving was a very difficult choice. When it came down to it though, I had to remember that my friendships were separate from my work and work relationships. It also can help to remember that no company would keep an employee around because of guilt over firing them and at the end of the day business and careers are about doing what is best for the entity in question. Definitely doing what is good for you and your progress is the best option. For me, it all worked out too! I feel I have better friendships with my old workmates, because we don't have the presupposition of work relationships to maintain.