One of the common scenarios played today is the extension of a counter-offer by a candidate's present employer, during or immediately following their resignation for a new position. Sometimes a meeting with the CEO or some other top official is called to intimidate the departing employee with promises that are seemingly lined with gold. In reality, the gold could be nothing but lead that will sink your career if you allow yourself to fall victim to some kinds of counter offers. Let's put this into some perspective. First of all, imagine yourself in your boss's job or even a level or two higher.
Stress takes on new meaning in senior management.
Picture yourself running a department that is probably short of competent staff, but long on tight deadlines, crises and unreasonable expectations from above. Now what if your boss has promised top management that certain tasks or goals, unknown to you, would be completed at some future time. Complicate this further by the fact that your boss may have three college age kids and a balloon mortgage. In the middle of all this, you walk in and resign. Your boss' reactions run the gamut from anger, frustration, resentment and maybe pure terror.