It is always said that one should never burn a bridge. Years ago when I worked at a community newspaper, Joe Giuliani, the editor, performed a surprise arson attack on his bridge, resigning in the most public forum available to him, his newspaper.

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Giuliani printed his scathing resignation letter to the GM in the regular issue of the newspaper. His column began with, “I have never broken up with someone through a letter, but I feel that since our boss-employee relationship has deteriorated to almost zero communication, why start talking now?” The column went on to detail exactly how Giuliani felt the GM had mistreated him, listing many specific examples.

Our GM at the time was in a bit over his head. His tenure was besieged with problems. He wasn’t the best choice to run a company like ours (or perhaps any company).

I recently talked to Giuliani who said he had no regrets, although he realizes he will probably never get another journalism job in the Chicago area. The column wasn’t a long-term plan. The idea came up a few days prior while discussing his imminent departure with friends. Giuliani stated that he did it for a combination of reasons, including vengeance. However, he also wanted to “see if he could do it” and “to go out with a bang.” Giuliani feels he accomplished his goal.

I agree he accomplished his goal, and most of us have imagined a grand exit at some point. Most of us don’t do it though, choosing a safer, cleaner exit. Is that the coward’s way or is it just good business?

To be honest, Giuliani was right in what he wrote. He wasn’t some sort of loose cannon. In fact, I thought he was a hungry, dedicated, young journalist who would do well under good management. Unfortunately, we did not have good management. We were a struggling company with a struggling man in charge. A competitor once said that Giuliani was the exact guy he’d want to be his editor, yet he would never hire him because of this. Now, there is a double-edged sword.

Years have passed, and I am still not sure what to think of the situation. I guess mostly I think it is sad that a business relationship deteriorated to that point. It also has made me evaluate potential partners more carefully before I get involved. Nothing is worth that type of stress level. There is always another job out there.

-John Wroblewski, distribution specialist