Got fired because I was ‘too fast’

I worked for a billionaire who hired me to be his strategic partner in his family office. He built an industrial company from scratch, so naturally I assumed he was the real deal.

Turns out the whole family office existed so he could play visionary and feel like the mastermind in the room.

I only recently discovered that I am gifted. I have been used to environments with high cognitive tempo, politics, think tanks, sharp discussions, real decision making. So it never crossed my mind that this man might not be working at the same level. He performed thoughtfulness very convincingly. Lots of nodding. Long pauses. Zero substance. Decisions changed from week to week without any logic.

And I kept pointing things out. Not to win anything but because that is simply how I work. You see a risk or inconsistency, you say it. You challenge, you refine, you move. Fast.

Then he ghosted me for three months. I assumed he was busy and I just continued working with the portfolio companies, building processes, solving problems, delivering value.

Then out of nowhere he fired me. Apparently, I am “too fast”, “too aggressive” and I “always want to win debates”.

Which is absurd, because I generally get on well with people and have strong relationships with colleagues. I am direct, sure, but I am warm and collaborative too. Apparently that combination confused him.

New money people are really something. 

So yeah. Fired for being efficient.