Why this conversation
A resignation conversation is the one a new lead abroad is least prepared for and most judged on. Panic, guilt, and counter-offers made on the spot all fail. What works is asking what the offer is actually buying, being honest about what you can and cannot change, and keeping the relationship whichever way it goes.
Dialogue
Lucas: I've had an offer. Twenty percent more, at a competitor. I haven't said yes.
Jay: Thank you for telling me before you decided; most people don't. Before I say anything about money: what is the offer buying you that this job isn't? If it's only the twenty percent, that's one conversation. If it's something else, the twenty percent is a symptom.
Lucas: Honestly? They'd have me own the ledger rewrite. Here I'm still the person who fixes the ledger.
Jay: That's a fair thing to want, and it's the part I can actually do something about. The rewrite is on our roadmap for Q1. I've been staffing it in my head with someone external because I thought you wanted to stay close to production. I was wrong to assume that instead of asking.
Lucas: And the money?
Jay: I can't match twenty percent today, and I won't pretend I can. What I can do is take your case to comp this week with the rewrite ownership attached, and tell you the real answer by Friday, including if the answer is no. I'd rather you decide on facts than on my optimism.
Lucas: And if I go anyway?
Jay: Then you go with a good reference and a handover we plan together, and I'll be annoyed for about a week. You've earned the choice. I'd just like it to be a choice between two real options, not between a real one and a guess.
Lucas: Friday, then.
Key expressions
| Expression | 뜻 · 쓰이는 자리 |
|---|---|
| I haven't said yes | 아직 예스라고 하지 않았다 |
| before you decided | 결정하기 전에 |
| what is the offer buying you | 그 오퍼가 당신에게 무엇을 사주나 |
| a symptom | 증상(진짜 원인의 표면) |
| own the rewrite | 재작성을 맡다(오너십) |
| I was wrong to assume | 가정한 것은 내 잘못이었다 |
| I won't pretend I can | 할 수 있는 척하지 않겠다 |
| take your case to comp | 보상 팀에 당신 건을 올리다 |
| including if the answer is no | 답이 아니오일 때를 포함해 |
| you've earned the choice | 그 선택은 당신이 얻어낸 것이다 |
| a real one and a guess | 진짜 하나와 추측 하나 |