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It's January 2nd, 2017.

At the offices of the investment firm, Point 72 in Stamford, Connecticut, Bill Shufeld

pulls up a chair in a glass wall meeting room.

Schufeld has the broad frame of a former college football star and is seen as confident

and outgoing, the kind of guy who winds up the center of attention at corporate events and parties.

But today, he's full of nervous energy.

He has a big announcement to make, and he's not sure how it will go down.

Schufeld's boss stands at the front of the room to kick off the team's first meeting of the new year.

All right, everyone, welcome back.

Hope you all had some good time off, didn't hit the eggnog too hard.

Anyone have any major epiphanies over the break?

The room chuckles, and for a second, Shufeld considers letting the moment pass because

once he says what he's about to say, there's no taking it back.

But then he raises his hand.

Actually, I do.

Everyone turns to face him.

Shufeld takes a deep breath, then says the most important words of his career.

I didn't want you to all hear this from HR, but I gave my notice this morning.

I'm leaving the company.

What?

...