How to quit without burning bridges

Leave on a high note and preserve future opportunities

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:03):
Welcome to Before Breakfast, a production of I Heart Radio.
Good Morning, This is Laura. Welcome to the Before Breakfast podcast.
This week we're talking about work and broadways of thinking
about it. Today's tip is how to leave a job
in a way that leaves you best positioned for the future.

(00:25):
A few people work at the same place for their
entire careers, anymore, there comes a time when most of
us will need to move on for some reason or another,
for a different job, to pursue a degree, or start
a business for family reasons. As we've talked about in
the past with this podcast, we seldom focus as much
on how things will end as how they begin, but

(00:46):
endings done well can create lasting positive impressions. I can
open up possibilities to first, and I hope obvious. Unless
you're in physical danger and experiencing a real trauma. Work,
don't quit suddenly. Some workplaces may ask you to leave
quickly once you've quit, but most managers appreciate a few

(01:08):
weeks of support in winding things down and transferring your responsibilities.
Being as helpful and cheerful as possible during this time
means that people remember you well. Another one hopes obvious
move don't send a passive, aggressive, or antagonizing goodbye note.
Over the years, I've become a student of goodbye emails,

(01:29):
the genre of literature people send out to their colleagues
on their last days with their new contact information. These
notes have a very limited purpose to inform anyone you
work with tangentially that you're going to share your next
steps if you'd like, and to tell people how to
reach you. Acceptable variations include thanking people you've worked with,
or maybe sharing one positive anecdote about your time at

(01:52):
the company that you'll always remember fondly. Do not use
these notes to get a grievance off your chest. Do
not use these notes to complain in any way about
the situation. Do not inform your former colleagues that you,
unlike them, finally have your priority straight, or that you
are making a move you should have made a long
time ago, or anything along those lines. Here's why many

(02:16):
companies are like revolving doors these days. Perhaps at some
point in your new role you'd like to recruit former
colleagues to come work with you. They'll be more excited
about the possibility if you didn't insult them on the
way out the door. Or maybe the leader of your
old organization will retire and someone new and wonderful will
come in. Don't completely right off the idea that you

(02:37):
might like to work there again. You don't want to
be remembered as the can you believe this email guy?
It's also possible that your former colleagues will start companies
or be hired into amazing roles elsewhere. It's wonderful to
have people all over your industry with fond memories of you.
You can make this happen by leaving in a professional

(02:58):
and positive way. You can also cement these feelings by
continuing to reach out to people, just as someone who's
interested in their lives. Why not send holiday cards, presents
for new babies, and congratulatory notes when you read about
something cool that they've done. Ending well means these relationships survive,

(03:19):
and since life is more than work, that's a good thing.
In the meantime, this is Laura. Thanks for listening, and
here's to making the most of our time. Hey, everybody,
I'd love to hear from you. You can send me
your tips, your questions, or anything else. Just connect with

(03:42):
me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at Before Breakfast Pod.
That's b E. The number four then Breakfast p o D.
You can also shoot me an email at before Breakfast
podcast at i heeart media dot com that before Breakfast
is spelled out with all the letters. Thanks so much,
I look forward to staying in touch. Before Breakfast is

(04:10):
a production of I heart Radio. For more podcasts from
I heart Radio, visit the i heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts,
or wherever you listen to your favorite shows.