How to stay employed without really trying

I told Enrico this story today and he said I should blog about it. Hopefully I can make it coherent, it's a bit convoluted.

Today I got an email from a guy saying he knows a nonprofit that is looking for an interim executive director, and he got my name from a colleague.

I said, I'm very full up with work for at least two months. But, if he could tell me a little about the situation, I would know better whether I might be able to be of service, or if I might be able to refer somebody else. I said I recognize that these situations are often very sensitive. It's not uncommon to hear about a situation where the board is about to fire their executive director. It's like being an advice columnist. "I have this friend, see...and I can't say who it is. But they serve on the board of an organization...only I can't say which one. Anyway, they have this problem..."

However, I explained, it would be helpful to know a few things: the size of the organization; the general type of work it does; whether this is an urgent situation or a routine executive transition; and when they will need somebody. And from the story he gave me, I am pretty certain that he's planning to quit his job, and is trying to line up a potential interim to replace himself.

Now here's the funny part. I am also almost certain that I met this guy a few months ago at a community event, and he asked me lots of questions about being an interim director. As usual, I waxed poetic about the temp life and how much BETTER it is than being a permanent executive director. Or a permanent anything, for that matter. So much less stress! So much more variety!

So wouldn't this be funny: This guy is quitting his job because some chick he met at a reception a while back made him realize how burned out he is. Before he gives his board the bad news, he wants to line up a few potential interims for them to talk to. He gets a name from a colleague, and contacts her. The name sounds vaguely familiar, but hey, it's a small town. He makes an appointment and...it's the chick! From the reception! Who convinced him to quit his job!

That, my friends, is how to ensure your own employment security.