It was not another Friday at the office.
The day changed with a simple, early mail from our CEO. With a subject, “Cease Operations,” declaring bankruptcy and letting more than 90 people out with no salary, savings fund, or severance package… Nothing. There’s simply no money and, to this day, no more communication.
There was so much talent around, people I admired, respected, and loved. Some became friends. So many I worked with, so many I really wished to.
I saw many set the example with talent, effort, hard work, facing difficult situations, long hours creating great presentations, iterations, and rework when needed, and showing ownership, dedication, and commitment to deliver the best possible outcome.
An immense desire to produce good work.
I observed camaraderie, complicity, empathy, and patience to create the space and trust to help others grow and succeed.
I witnessed self-awareness, honesty to accept our weaknesses and differences, and the maturity — almost always— to have the needed discussions to improve.
I admired the effort, acceptance, and cooperation in different time zones, countries, and cultures, through a screen. The attempt to learn Spanish, to understand the other culture, and commit to treating it as equal. Thank you.
How easily that team made anyone feel they belonged to this crew.
Most of the time, we succeeded, and sometimes we did not. Sometimes we fixed it, and sometimes we did not. It was not perfect. And “It was ok”. ;)
Yes, there were tears, rage, anger, fear, uncertainty, personal situations, and moments of life affected. But then, cooperation, acknowledgment, gratitude, support, care, energy, and tons of responsibility to help each other after the storm hit.
There were so many things there, most of them invisible. Now Broken. Because we “Ceased operations”.
But it was worth it, and I liked it because it was authentic. And it was ours. Still is.
