Took an interview with a board member of an IT startup who wanted more focus on his pet project.
Interview went well and I got the job. Less money but it was a startup and the board member sold his last startup for hundreds of millions so I thought, I'll ride the wave.
It wasnt a great product, nor did it have a lot of opportunity but it was his baby and he wanted focus. The core business had potential and i thought maybe this might be an opportunity too good to pass up.
About 5 months in i had to present to the board the opportunity potential, and I did. Got a few looks and a comment around limited opportunity and in my head I'm thinking “yeah, I know right!?”. The worst part was, the board member who employed me said nothing and just nodded along with their comments. Here I am thinking, this product is crap, why did you employ me and why, if it's your baby, arent you fighting for it.
A few days later I got an meeting invite with the board member (now acting CEO) and I knew the writing was well and truly on the wall.
Right before the meeting i wiped my laptop, deleting all my work and then attended the meeting. As expected, i was sacked with a weeks notice but allowed to leave immediately. When he sacked me I said nothing, just watching him stammer, knowing he was delivering the board's message he couldnt refute. He stuttered and stammered for about a minute explaining how great I was and blah, blah blah before i said “ok, bye” and got up and left.
Felt shit at being sacked but happy to get out in the end. 10 years later their stock price is < $0.02 - not the opportunity I had banked on...