Opening doors

Several weeks ago I resigned from a very good job as I'd secured, what I expected to be, a better one. I had a notice period in which I continued to perform my job function in that time plus worked on a little side project of my own creation.

Leaving the company left a gap I knew they would have difficulty filling; it had taken them several months to get me on board and they were dismayed when I handed my resignation in and at the prospect of having to begin the search over. With this in mind I decided to see what I could do to help and tapped into my reasonably extensive network. I made a few calls, received a couple declines, then spoke with a fellow I'd worked with several years earlier who showed some interest. The problem was that he was happy where he was with no intention to leave.

I explained the situation, my role and a little about the company and he agreed to meet me at my workplace so I could show him around. Of course, I'd spoken with the Director first and he was agreeable to me proceeding.

I spent an hour showing my friend around a few days later, leaving nothing out, then we went away and chatted about the opportunity.

I could see him warming up to it, he asked many questions all of which I answered openly and honestly leaving nothing out good or bad, and we parted ways after he told me he'd consider things. Over the next several days we spoke on the phone a few times and he ended up telling me he was keen. I sent him the Directors details, he called, they met a few days later and after a couple hours the Director offered him the role. He didn't accept right away but I was confident he would, which a few days later he eventually did. I was very pleased as was the Director who was happy to have replaced me quickly.

Yesterday my friend and I had a coffee and he thanked me for the opportunity. He was very grateful, not just for the 25% increase on his previous salary the role gave him or even the autonomy and ability to work from anywhere. What he saw as the biggest thing was the break I'd given him in a new (lucrative) industry he'd otherwise not have had due to lack of experience and the fact the role would teach him new skills and attributes that would place him well into the future; it is a significant step up from a simple sales role he was previously doing. He's been there for a couple weeks now, is totally overwhelmed, run off his feet, overloaded with technical information, well out of his depth and paddling like fuck to keep up..and he's loving it!

We were talking today about how important relationships are, not just in business but generally. The relationship he and I formed several years ago endured even after we both took totally different paths. We're not much alike and don't have much in common at all but we had mutual respect and that went a long way towards me opening the door to the opportunity I gave him recently, and he being open to it and the change it brought.

I feel really great about helping him into the role; he won it himself of course, I just helped him see the benefits. But, thinking about it now, I guess again respect, the respect I'd gained from the Director during the course of me doing the role, helped pave the way for my friend, opened the door, so to speak. This role will make a massive difference to my his life, financially and professionally, and I think his personal life will benefit also, job satisfaction often has that effect. I left our coffee catch up with a smile on my face (an inward smile as I don't walk around smiling much) and a good feeling inside.

Have you ever had a door opened for you by a friend, or helped someone by opening the door to opportunity for them? Tell me about it in the comments below if you'd like.