I love this wry quote. It describes a desire that is very human. Although I have never been much of a bridge burner myself, I think we can all relate to the vengeful appeal of breaking free of an authority with no plan to ever return.
There is something about this emotion that runs deep in all of us. A satisfyingly potent cocktail of independence and autonomy. Earlier, I wrote a post after surveying people about the motivation behind the Johnny Paycheck song “Take This Job & Shove It” and Jimmy Fallon led a very funny Twitter query asking people to share the colorful ways they left jobs called #HowIQuit.
On my way out of MegaCorp last April Fool’s Day, I tried to maintain a degree of respect and professionalism for bosses, colleagues, and the good intentions of everyone I worked with. I was – and am – very pleased and proud to have worked with each of them and the three terrific MegaCorps I had the pleasure of working for. That said, it didn’t stop me from secretly thinking about some of the things I wanted to convey before I left the building. 😉
In the end, I felt none of my potential statements were particularly meaningful or newsworthy. After all, the person that orchestrates such an exit is the one who looks bad in the end. Even if you hope your parting words will produce some long-needed change in an organization – the person who is leaving is likely the last person that anyone will bother listening to. If you have nothing nice to say, don’t start a big fire for your own aggrandizement.
Live and let live – the angst of the workplace will be quickly forgotten in your life of FIRE.
Image Credit: Pixabay
MrFireStation 
Good point on the fact that the #HowIQuit crowd with their colorful stories are really the ones looking silly at the end of the day. I like your method better, if you want to think the thoughts, fine, just keep the professionalism on the outside and don’t burn the bridges (even if you have not intent to use them again!).
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We’ve all heard “honesty is the best policy.” I’ve often thought that is self-centered. Most interpret it to mean: “Speak whatever is on your mind; if others don’t like it, tough.” Keeping your own counsel is frequently a reasonable course for all concerned. When asked, answer truly. But when not asked, there’s usually a reason silence is golden.
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Well put. I always told my people that in life – as in the game Risk – it is best to “be Australia”. That is, stay out of conflicts while others fight over Europe & Asia. You’ll get comparatively strong, while others kill each other, and weaken their position over the long term.
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