Ryan J DiLazio

Four days earlier: "I highly recommend everyone read Think and Grow Rich. It's really about how to create a posture to be successful under any circumstances."

Good morning everyone.

I have been thinking about the lack of response to my previous email. Only two people responded by choice; the rest had to be reprimanded by [my spouse]. I've still not heard back from most of you.

My email didn't have a command or a question, so it must not warrant a response? Nothing could be further from the truth. I deserve the respect I have earned in life and in the company that I built.

From here on out, I will assume that if someone ignores me completely, then that individual no longer wishes to be employed at [Company]. I will not tolerate being ignored in the company I built.

I find it very disappointing that I have to explain basic courtesy.

Never forget that I am President, Co-Founder, and visionary of this company.

Thank you,
[REDACTED]
President

All,

I have thoroughly enjoyed most of my experience working at [REDACTED]. However, over the last few weeks things have taken an incredible turn.

When I detailed harassment, bullying, disorganization, and inappropriate spending of client dollars to leadership, I was reassured my performance was not a concern. Last Wednesday I received an email at 6:39PM EST that, to the direct contrary of everything communicated to me, these leadership failures were somehow my fault and I had 30 days to shape up or be disciplined.

In June, [REDACTED] said "if you need to be moved away from your manager, let me know and I'll make it happen." In August, I did. In September, I was told it wasn't possible. A week later I was delivered a performance improvement demand for my communication and collaboration skills — two areas where I pride myself.

As a principle, I do not take part in relationships where systems of power use my livelihood as leverage against me. I must choose peace and resign from my position effective immediately.

When I first started, there was a motto this team held: show up, do cool shit, log off.

• This doesn't work when my manager lies to other employees and tells them I'm sleeping during the workday when really I was intentionally excluded from a brainstorm.
• This doesn't work when I'm explicitly encouraged to take on leadership work and then later disciplined for doing the same work.
• This doesn't work when I am ignored during the workday and then texted on the weekend to perform minor tasks.

We work on snack brands, folks. It should have never gotten this tense.

I wish you all the best — I truly mean it.

This message was scheduled, and I am no longer logged into [REDACTED] systems. Out of interest of your privacy, do not reply to this email.

me too.

slay the day or the day slays you,
— ryan

On Thu, Mar 21, 2024 at 6:50 AM [REDACTED] wrote:

Hey Ryan, Confirming receipt. I'm sorry to hear that it's come to this.

On Wed, Mar 20, 2024 ryan wrote:

This email constitutes formal resignation from my position as Senior Creative Strategist at [REDACTED] Agency, effective April 5, 2024.

Constant shifting of targets, lack of pushback on misaligned client demand, and leadership's difficulty communicating expectations have perpetuated an unsustainable atmosphere. The environment and the role haven't lived up to what was sold to me.

Shortly after joining, [REDACTED] pulled me into a private, unscheduled call where, among other toxic remarks, she said it was "time to turn my nice messages to the team into tangible work on a slide."

I can no longer envision a future with this agency.

Hi Ryan,

The representation that you are the "wild mind behind Nutter Butter" is misleading and should be clarified.

Best,
[REDACTED]
Americas HR Lead, [REDACTED]