I spoke with Richard on Friday (15/08) to finalize the arrangements for my last few days. It was a good conversation, as always.
During that day’s daily stand-up, everyone was there except for some who are on leave. Colleagues from Sydney office (Onin and Assad also joined) also dialed in along with the lady scrum master (Joy from our Sydney office). As the call was about to end, she (Joy) surprised us by saying her goodbyes, as she is moving to another team. It was the perfect moment to say my own farewell. On the side I asked Richard for permission, and he graciously granted it with one condition: that I remain contactable until the end of the month.
In my last stand-up call, I looked back at the beginning. I thanked Onin for opening the door for me at the company. I also recalled Amanda’s challenge during my interview: to put APAC on the map. I can confidently say I did that, but the credit isn’t mine alone. It belongs to the people who supported me on this journey. It wasn’t an easy challenge, but with management’s support, we got through it with flying colors.
I took the opportunity to mention the people I promoted, hired, and supported in their growth. I wanted them to realize my intention was for the greater good of the company and the team, and I shared my hope that they would reflect on it as well. I also advised everyone to be an MVP: Mature, Vulnerable, and Professional (positively influencing each other). Finally, I thanked Richard for his support during our short time together.
I had no plan to say a formal goodbye; my intention was to quietly exit. But Onin insisted, telling me to “stay classy.” After saying my piece, I felt a sense of relief. The message was clear: my work was about the people who supported me, not about me. It was a classic, positive, and rant-free farewell that came as a surprise to most.
Time to move on.
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