I have recently left a consulting business I co-founded called Vermillion. It has been an interesting, rewarding and challenging three years. Vermillion launched a revolutionary, humanist approach to business practice. In that short time, it made significant contributions to businesses and the community, and showed that being authentic, acting with integrity, creativity and passion, and generosity works really well to help a business stand out and be noticed.
Unfortunately, the business partnership fell apart as we differed irreconcilably on our commitment to Vermillion’s founding philosophy and its future growth direction.
The biggest lesson for me out of this is: I must always stick to my truth. This means never limiting or censoring that truth, for whatever reasons. Easy to say, and not so easy to stick to! Especially as I have a tendency to avoid conflict where possible.
Truth = authenticity. Meaningful work means bringing my whole self to my work, and giving 100% to a business I believe in. The new direction in Vermillion made this impossible for me.
“When I’m not doing something that comes deeply from me, I get bored. When I get bored I get distracted and when I get distracted, I become depressed. It’s a natural resistance, and it insures your integrity.” Maria Irene Fornes
If you find yourself in a challenging business relationship right now, struggling to decide between staying or leaving, think about which of those paths best honour your truth. It may be better to leave with your integrity and self-respect intact, than to stay and be less than yourself.
Here’s to new beginnings!
