How to Quit Your Job Without Burning Bridges
Many people ask me if I have advice on how to gracefully leave a job. Ironically, I do have some thoughts on how to do this without burning bridges — more so from experience of not doing it the “right way” several times in my own career. These are the best learning moments to look back on and see how I might have done things differently and what I learned from the experience.
Here are a few insights I’ve learned from the process of leaving a job to start my own business that I’d like to share with you, so you don’t have the same pitfalls.
Envision Your Endgame
When leaving a job, especially to start your own business, it’s important to think about how you want to depart, especially if it’s a position and place you value with great colleagues. Make a plan and timeline, and, as I tell my kids, put your best foot forward. What do you need to do to ensure that you feel like you did the best you could to make your departure as smooth and seamless as possible? Leave enough time to help your employer hire someone to replace you, offer to help hire and train your replacement or something else that is relevant to your job that would stand out to your employer as an appreciated and thoughtful gesture.
It Takes a Village
One of the reasons you want to leave your job with grace is that you never know when or how you will need to rely on your “community” when you start your own business. Once you launch into entrepreneurship you will need to draw on your community and network at different times during your journey for support, advice, and expertise. Keep the lines of communication open and leave with grace so you feel comfortable going back to former employers and colleagues when the time comes.
Be Prepared for All Outcomes
Even though you may have an ideal timeframe in mind, there are many times your employers won’t be on the same page. Depending on your profession or role, they might want you to leave immediately or to shorten your length of stay at your job. Be prepared for all scenarios both mentally and financially. No matter what happens during your initial meeting, let them know of your plan to leave. Maintain a positive attitude and accept the terms they’re requesting.
But what if you are in a toxic workplace? How does that play out?
Prioritize Self-Care. Well, it’s important to prioritize your mental and physical well being so practice some good self-care while you are going through the departure process. This could look a number of different ways such as meditation, art, reading, spa days — you get the point. Find balance where you can while you figure out your game plan.
Who are your allies? In toxic workplaces, the culture may not be positive because of upper management styles but that doesn’t mean you need to throw the baby out with the bathwater (per se). Who can you tap in your company as an ally? Think about people you would want to keep ties with while you create your “entrepreneurial village.”
Feedback. Is there a safe way to give feedback before you leave? Sometimes it could be an HR department or supervisor and other times you can request an exit interview. If the environment is really that bad, you might want to consider leaving your mark by letting them know what they are doing well and really not so well, and what pushed you out the door.
