Every week I spend a fair amount of time trying to get the best people to work for one of our portfolio companies.
I’m always impressed when I talk to someone that wants to leave their company but uneasy about it because of loyalty (to the founders, employees, investors, etc).
Leaving a job isn’t easy under any conditions. It’s not fun to walk into your office and tell people that gave you a chance and are now depending on you that it’s time to move on.
My advice: if you are excited about a new opportunity (can’t sleep or think of anything except the new thing) then it’s time to go.
It may not feel like the loyal thing to do but I believe it is. In your heart you don’t want to be there and the team at the current company really doesn’t want you to stay if that’s not your desire either.
The best way to act in a way that is consistent with your sense of loyalty is to shoot straight and give your current employer/company plenty of transition time and support afterwards. They will appreciate it.
Loyalty is something that is earned. Many loyal folks will say they will take a bullet for a former colleague or partner. I know that feeling all too well.
That type of loyalty is something special.