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Considering I was fired unjustly this week from a growing company I was pouring my everything into I would say don’t work for a startup. But...I disagree with the statement that mission driven companies often end up exploitative. I think leaders that manipulate end up exploitative but the employees who are drawn to mission driven companies tend to be more creative problem solvers and empathetic.

I have a lot of feelings about building value based businesses and I hope I can help more of these start ups and small businesses incorporate better business practices so they don’t exploit their employees.

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I am so sorry for what happened and encourage self-care and loving kindness towards yourself.

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I agree with your assessment, it has been my experience its the leader that determines whether the startup becomes exploitative or stays focused in the mission. One indicator I see to to inform people to move on is if the leader is consistently emphasizing and placing. high value on loyalty. On the surface loyalty may seem like a good trait, but manipulative leaders use it to extract and manipulate from their team for personal gain. I look for leaders who are focused on earning trust over obtaining declared loyalty.

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I learned some good things from this experience. First, require a responsibility list in a job offer not just doing what might be required. Second, see how the leaders treat and talk about people who they feel aren’t serving them whether they’re vendors customers who say no.

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I read about your situation...I'm so sorry this happened to you.

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It is painful but in the long run it is for the best. My resume has never looked so impressive. I now know I can offer way more than I initially realized. I’m also thankful another business saw my husband and I were fired and immediately swooped us up.

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