That Hypothetical Moment When All Your Former Employees Return

I have thought of a hypothetical event at No Limit Agency*’s current offices at which former employees were brought back for a social event. What would it be like, what would go through their minds as they see that the next step of the vision has come to fruition?

I think a lot about my former colleagues. I think about why it didn’t work and what we could have done differently to keep them there forever. Why in today’s work environment do people move on so much faster than they did even 20 years ago? Speed of technology? Ability to progress their titles and money faster? Short attention spans?

On this hypothetical night, I would begin with a speech thanking them, each of them, for what they contributed to No Limit. I would talk about my vision to create an environment that creates enough happiness that the grass is never greener elsewhere. I would talk about how many of them would probably love No Limit today, as the changes that have been put in place were reflections of their exit interviews.

Every former employee was hired for the right reason and because they were good people — embodying what the word sunshine would reflect in a human. Situations, stress and a different response to change may have caused it to not work out. I see friendships that have remained with other co-workers since they left. That means we hired good people who were simply not a fit for the fast-paced life of No Limit.

On this hypothetical night, I would share pictures from the journey, as well as what I thought was possible to show how things started aligning. No Limit started in a one-office space in Marietta, Ga.; moved to a garage bay in a former AAMCO in Decatur, Ga.; expanded into another garage bay; relocated to my house in Chicago as we searched for office space; moved into our River North make-shift office; and now we hold fort at the majestic Prudential Building in the heart of the city. Each of those steps couldn’t have been accomplished without the people we had. Each of the future steps can’t be accomplished without understanding that path.

I do believe that they best people who have left would walk into No Limit today and see that the experience would have been great for them had they been able to hold on a little longer. Today, every flexibility change put in place is designed to improve the balance for the high performers.

I would say to those who left No Limit with a match held to the bridge, don’t do it to your next employer. This world is too small and what goes around comes around. I have tried very hard to not burn bridges, as you never know when those paths will need support further along in life.

This hypothetical alumni night might happen at some point. Hopefully, it’s when we are celebrating the retirements of great people. For now, it’s just a process I use to try to create the best environment and culture possible as we continue to take steps toward becoming the greatest mid-sized agency.

Reflection is critical to making things better. I know that ultimately the happiness of my team will be reflected in the happiness of our clients. And if we can continue to provide first-class relationship, service, strategy and results, we will have a shot at becoming the best.