Saying Goodbye is the Hardest

Summary:  People will leave a business for many reasons. How you handle their departure can give you insight and keep you reputation.

People leave a business for many reasons. Promotion, better salary, flexible work hours, to work closer to home or its just not working out. Regardless of the reason when someone leave it can be difficult. How you handle an employee departure can affect those around you, in particular the other employees. They will notice how to treat and behave the departing employee so they know what can or will happen to them.

When an employee decides it’s time to leave, the natural tendency is to believe the reason for leaving is personal or at least you take it personally.  This is not usually the case, people leave for their personal reasons – not yours. Instead look at the departures as a learning experience is a chance to improve your business. While you were asking employees in a regular basis for their feedback, asking when you know they are leaving may result in some more honest insight. Ask about how they felt about your leadership style, the clients, the business. Take it a step further and ask what you should improve on as well you should keep the same.

When you ask an employee to leave, it doesn’t have to be contentious.  This would need to be an ongoing conversation so when you finally sit down and say “this isn’t working” there shouldn’t be any surprises.  Of course there are always exceptions – I’m referring to when you find out someone is doing something so bad they must immediately be let go.  Even in this circumstance, speak calmly and explain why it can not be tolerated.  Treat people with dignity and they will respect you regardless of what the circumstances on the last day.

Why should you be concerned? Each person you have contact with, especially employees will spread the word about you. Make it positive – after all you don’t know “who” they  know.  Could it be possible their next door neighbor, uncle, best friend’s parent is a potential client? What would you like them to know about you?

Share you toughest “goodbye”.