After the Fire: Effective Post-Exit Strategies
Kurtis Graham
Helping B2B companies integrate culture, brand & leadership for real growth | Global Head of Marketing @Footlogix Pediceuticals | President & Founder @Leadership in Focus
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"As a leader, you are responsible for the well-being of your team. Even in difficult times, treat people with dignity, respect, and fairness." ~ Unknown
Letting Employees Go is Hard
As a manager, one of the most challenging tasks I've faced multiple times is letting someone go. Regardless of the circumstances leading to termination, delivering such news is emotionally taxing—it disrupts not just the individual's life but also the team dynamic.
Personally, leading up to terminations, I'm often emotionally affected. Being an empathetic leader, the stress of delivering such news weighs heavily on me. The challenge lies in the weeks of knowing the inevitable, yet having to maintain normalcy when interacting with the person facing termination.
Preparing for the actual termination is part of the routine—documentation, resource retrieval, and logistical planning. But what I've observed as a significant oversight is what happens 'after the fire.'
Remember the Team Too
Once the employee is terminated, our focus is primarily on the exit steps. However, we often overlook the impact on the team, external relationships, and the organization at large. We form strong bonds in the workplace, and severing ties abruptly affects not just the individual but the many who cared for them.
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In most cases, the individuals I've had to let go were well-liked, making the decision even more difficult. Learning from these experiences, I've developed post-termination strategies to facilitate a smoother transition:
Closing Thoughts
"When letting people go, remember that how you treat them on their way out will influence your remaining team more than you might realize." ~ Kurtis Graham
Handling terminations compassionately and strategically after the fact is crucial for the well-being of the team and the overall organization's health.? So let’s be sure to plan well in advance, be dignified in the moment, and show compassion, humility, and a willingness to learn after the fact.
TAKE ACTION THIS WEEK
If you're preparing for an upcoming employee exit or wish to equip yourself better for this aspect of leadership, here are three proactive steps you can take this week:
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kurtis is the President and Founder of Leadership In Focus Inc.?Kurtis is a seasoned sales and marketing executive who excels in leading and developing teams across Canada and internationally. With a strong background in B2B marketing and a proven track record in delivering successful marketing strategies and executions for Fortune 500 businesses in 20+ countries, Kurtis brings invaluable expertise. His passions include leadership development, coaching, strategic thinking, and ideation, all of which he leverages to help businesses connect the dots and build engaging brand stories from the right content. With Kurtis and?Leadership In Focus?by your side, you can expect exceptional marketing strategy and execution that drives tangible results for your business.