Dear Secretary Tillerson, What a difficult day you have had. Our president dismissed you and let YOU and the world know via Twitter. Something similar happened on an episode of “Sex and the City” when a guy dumped sweet, glamorous Carrie Bradshaw using a Post-it note.
When you accepted this critically important role in government, I had never heard of you. After learning of your impressive background, I wondered why a man of your stature would want this job and working with a boss you didn’t even know. I suspect you did so as a patriot, which is what the public would like to believe about all government employees right now.
I thank you for your service, but how did you not see this coming? Like so many others, this president has used Twitter with reckless abandon since before taking office. It was just a matter of time that with a few characters from the alphabet, you would learn of your demise from a critically important job in government. This unpleasant turn of events serves as a reminder that in business, artful communication and diplomacy matter, especially when trying to avoid negative events or crises from impacting the organization.
As a businessman you know there are always lessons to be learned when life turns unexpectedly. It’s unfortunate that you didn’t initiate your departure and leave on your own terms. Ironically, it’s Donald Trump who has shared some of the best advice for times like these. “You always have to be ready to walk.”
Or in your case, Rexit.