I thought it would be very easy to give notice, but it it's not. On the one hand, I'm glad that I found a better opportunity, but on the other, it's still stressful after so many years here, to start again from scratch somewhere else. What I'm interested in is whether any managers tried to keep someone after they gave notice or are they mostly indifferent even if a good employee from an understaffed team is leaving the company?
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My 2 cents - it really comes down to what you care about. Making the list will help and maybe if make the decision for you. Me - I enjoy the people I work with at Nike, of course, I could say I can make new friends but really my deciding factor was around career growth. After many of the organizational changes and leadership changes, I found myself saying "Do I really want to start this over for the 3rd time and try to build trust with this new manager."
its a tough question to ask. I actually was offered a really good salary at my new employer, Nike tried to match and they knew they couldn't compete. But for me, I needed to hit the reset button. I'm happy with my decisions but I do sometimes miss the craziness and sometimes the drama of Nike (as long as it didn't pertain me). I knew others who were in similar situations, some stayed and some left. I heard my prior team's chemistry is rebuilding and getting better with the new leadership team in place, I wish them nothing but the best. However for me, mentality, I needed the reset. I guess good for the soul.
There are some good posts and thoughts listed here. I was nervous and "scared" to give my notice too. But it was probably one of the best life decisions I ever made after 20+ years. My manager was terrible and out of her league. Unbelievable that she was in the role that she was in...I know I'm complaining now...but "we" were/are promoting people that weren't/aren't ready to lead teams. Leaders lead, delegate and trust. They shouldn't micromanage, manage up, nor take credit on behalf of their team. Servant leader only counts when your team tells you that you are one.
Been there done that OP. You’re right that leaving Nike after a long time is both exciting and scary. Your current Nike job is familiar. And “familiar” heavily translates to “comfortable” and “safe”. It’s completely understandable that the prospect of voluntarily giving up comfortable and safe, is scary. Doing so goes directly against some basic & important human instincts.
Nonetheless sometimes people have to make some tough decisions to get from Point A to Point B; regardless of what those points represent for you. It’s made even tougher by the fact that simply leaving the comfort and safety of Point A is no guarantee at all that you’ll arrive at Point B…or that you’ll like what you find even if you get there.
This is where your own confidence comes into play. You know what you want. You know what you can do. You know you have potential and that realizing that full potential likely won’t happen in your current Nike role. For some people - including you it seems - that isn’t good enough. Life is too short, and your potential too high, to not take that shot. There’s a chance it might not work out. It could end up being a bad decision. But if you don’t exercise that confidence you know you have and even pursue the many other opportunities available, you’ll never know. And you’ll always be wondering, “What if…?”
I can also tell you this: the things people worry about most, usually don’t happen. We often focus too much on what could go wrong when instead we should be focusing on what could go RIGHT! Again, taking that confidence you know you have by the horns will, most of the time, pay dividends. You just need to take that first step forward. And trust yourself. There’s a very good chance things will work out fine. You may even learn things work out BETTER than fine.
As for what Nike does to keep people, regrettably most of the answers below are correct. While many of us (me included) think or thought “Nike doesn’t want to lose ME!”, the fact is that - for the most part - Nike doesn’t really care if you want to leave. You are one of hundreds of thousands of people who have worked for the company. Nike was fine before you arrived. Nike will be fine after you leave. It’s harsh but true: in a company with nearly 80,000 current employees no single person is just that important. Everyone is replaceable. Sure, some people are more difficult to replace than others. I think we all know that. But at the end of the day…everyone is replaceable. Yes, everyone.
THAT is the attitude with which Nike approaches employee retention. Anyone who tells you different is either uninformed or, for whatever reason, is trying to push & sell a false narrative.
When you put in your notice you will probably be asked something like “What would it take to keep you?” If your answer involves anything that would cause anyone to have to stick their own neck out to advocate for you at higher levels, there is a near 0% chance much effort will be extended to retain you.
Token requests like “I need to earn 5% more per year” or “I need more stock options” may be entertained. In those cases it may be cheaper to throw you a bone rather than let you walk out the door. However you should not expect Nike to do or offer anything substantial to retain you.
If that’s the case it’s just as well because - and I say this with all sincerity - there’s a great chance Nike will be doing you a favor by letting you walk away. The fact that you were even considering other jobs should remind you precisely WHY you’re leaving in the first place.
Sorry, no one is gonna care. Make a list right this minute of the many reasons why you made this decision. Be sure to write down all the times your personal values were compromised. After you leave, take the list out and review it every time you have anxiety or start to second-guess your decision. Within a few short months you will be surprised and delighted that you took the initiative to own your path.
Nobody cares about anything but themselves in Nike, they won't remember your name in a few weeks.
Just do It!
If you have something else, you’re fine. BUT if you are with a competitor it won’t be a 2 week notice. They escort you to your car so be sure to have you computer files that are personal saved elsewhere. I’ve left Nike as FTE twice, total yrs as FTE and contractor totaled about 27 yrs. Both times I left on good terms. At first many want you back, and text/call. But this time is my LAST. NEVER going back. The company is completely asleep to what is going on globally, I only now realize since leaving spring of ‘21. So, it’s truly irrelevant what other think. FOLLOW YOUR GUT, and be true to ONLY you. Congrats are in order!!! New chapters ahead for you 🎉💪🏻
You care more about Nike than Nike cares about you. Move on. There is a much better world outside the berm.
I have never heard of anyone getting a counter offer when leaving at Nike, they just let you go, a thank you email from your boss is the best you can expect.
Nobody cares about you at Nike - move on and you will be glad you did!
If they suddenly give you a counter-offer, they didn't give enough of a sh-t to pay you what you were worth in the first place. Trust me when I say it's time to go- I did as soon as 6/1 rolled around, and my life has dramatically changed for the better. I'm not being manipulated, I have a growth trajectory, I have real work-life balance, and I'm actually contributing something that matters leveraging my expertise instead of building meaningless slide decks. Starting over is scary, but it's a very good thing.
It can go either way but now is not a good time to bet on a counter offer.