Some, perhaps many people happily fantasize about resignation day: “I’m leaving you for a company where my talents and aspirations will finally be appreciated!” (And if ‘company’ is replaced with ‘you’, then it probably serves as a good break-up line as well.
But there are others who dread the thought of resignation day. They’ve worked for a truly inspiring boss at a company with a great culture and an even better collection of co-workers. Every headhunter inquiry was met with a polite but firm, ‘No’. But eventually, they answered an email with an intriguing subject line, fully expecting to refer a friend or colleague for the role, only to proceed with an interview process that turned into a once-in-a-lifetime-opportunity to relocate to Asia or lead a revolutionary product development group or leapfrog a couple of management levels to a ‘seat at the table’.
And right after you popped the champagne cork it started to really sink in: “I’m going to have to look her in the eye and actually resign. And by the look on my face she’ll probably think i just received bad news from the doctor or the veterinarian. The last thing she’ll expect is the news I’ll be delivering.”
After we imagine all of the heartfelt, gruesome scenarios and lose a night or two or three of sleep, there will be an almost unstoppable urge to apologize, to explain, to explain in great detail, to apologize some more and on and on. And that’s the natural impulse when we make that day all about us.
But it’s never just about us. That’s one of the reasons why we loved working for that person and that company and with those people. it was always about ‘us’.
So, when resignation day finally arrives, you collect your thoughts, take a deep breath and tell that person you’re grateful for the opportunity she gave you; you’re moving to Company X; it’s an amazing opportunity for you and your family (if applicable); and you hope the two of you can remain in touch. It’s the best way to express your gratitude: You’re demonstrating respect for her loyalty and…her most precious resource, her time.