[karmakaze]

I once gave clear indications that I was considering joining a startup in hopes that the company could start looking for my replacement. I wasn't treated any differently and carried on as usual until I gave my notice.

Much later, after the startup failed I learned that those months of knowing that I'd likely be leaving and there was little they could do about it was a very terrible time for the higher up dev vp/cto/whatever. My team lead was all fine with it. So the lesson I learned is that it's not the thought that counts.

[It was ironic/unfortunate when I came back for a short term contract and got hired-away before completion on accident by a thinly-veiled coding contest.]

[solarmist]

Why was it a terrible time for them? The only thing that comes to mind is that there's an "open slot on the team," but it can't be filled because they're still there.

[karmakaze]

I think it's because I was a go-to person for solving deep problems and would be hard to fill. Also having others know and you being ultimately responsible while mostly powerless wouldn't be fun. I don't know the details, but some short time after I left the product team I was on stopped being offered. I think I would have fought to keep it around longer. Either that or I'm the rat that left the sinking ship.