Conversation had with the CEO of a company I used to work for, after I submitted my resignation several years ago:
Him: “We really value your contributions to our company. As you know, we had plans to leverage your skills for some important future projects. Why are you leaving?
Me: “Your flagship product has no buyers. You are living on rapidly-dwindling venture capital. Your only regular income comes from one contract for one small device you aren’t focusing on. You are living on co-marketing deals as you can make them, which we both know is not real income. You plan to terminate one of my co-workers because she’s now a mother, and you want to get rid of the other one because you don’t like his political ideology. The company is circling the drain and I’d really rather not go down with it.”
Him: “Oh, you can’t tell anybody that’s why you’re leaving,” he replied. “How would that look? Now tell me, what is your REAL reason for leaving?”
Me: “Uhh… I have a better opportunity with a large company?”
Him: “That’s my boy.”