Redefining Exit Interviews

A “no” from an employee?sounds always louder than the “no” from a manager, the most charismatic leader I have ever met, used to say. And kept on saying: I would dread to be in front of a person, whom I was supposed to manage and this person to come to the point to tell me straight to my face “no” without regrets.?You know, one of the worst feelings of a manager is the one of loosing control over the others, turning them from powerful to powerless.?

A few days earlier….

-???????I am sad that you decided to give your notice and that you are leaving us, but I came here to do my best to convince you to change your mind…

-???????No.

-???????Sounds definite decision.

-???????Yes.

-???????At least, give me the opportunity to invite you to an exit interview.

-???????No.

-???????Come on!.. it cannot be that bad…

-???????Well, you are right; it is not bad, it has never been bad and I cannot allow anything become bad. My decision is final and cannot be changed.

-???????Accepted. It is obvious I cannot change your mind; but, could I ask you to give me your feedback in writing? I do not know what happened, but if you give me the opportunity to be aware of what triggered this decision I could possibly prevent something similar from happening in the future.

-???????Yes, of course. I would not mind at all.??Could you please send your request in an email and… consider it done as always.

And so, she did…

Following this short discussion, she was checking her mailbox and as she expected the email showed up in her inbox in the afternoon.

Subject: Open me! ...you asked for me!

….I had a brilliant idea following our discussion and please see below in a count-down version the reason(s) behind the decision of my departure??from this roster; knowing you for years I feel that you will come to the same conclusions as mine.?

20- There is (professional) future and life even out of here; do you believe this? Oh, yes... It is just one decision away…

19- My approach to a new challenge? What else other than a yes?...

18- An interview is a test for both parties, employers choose an employee & vice versa. Or not?...

17- Your overtime should be appreciated…

16- Your performance should be appreciated…

15- Look for a motivational working environment (not here for sure)…

14- Lead by example: ask yourself how you would like to be treated and managed…

13- Personal and professional integrity are out of any negotiation…

12- Do the first step and go away. People are following leaders; no managers…

11- Keep targeting high...

10- Conflicts within the wider team are increasing, any idea why this is happening?...

9- How about communication?...

8- All the above are taking place under the hyper-vigilant eye/ sensors of the person who appointed a really unskilled person, to a managerial post…

7- Micromanagement is tailored for micromanagers and those, who are desperate enough to tolerate this …

6- “No” is a good first step in setting limits... when the others are unable to figure out what limits means.

5- Pretending that everything is ok? Not for me…

4- Compromising. What is this? Not applicable for overperformers and evidence-based top quality and oversufficient and over-efficient professionals..

4- Witnessing our efforts to keep a high level of service dooming to fail due to poor leadership is not my best thing…

3- Whether you agree or not, you will sooner or later realize that every professional departure is part of a professional journey and in most of the cases the beginning of a more interesting professional step for each one of us (what has kept you in this company for 30 years? …30 years??)...

2- Accept the fact that sooner or later we will be colleagues again in a different work environment.

1- Knowing when is the right time to depart is an art! Adios and see you soon!

Three months afterwards..?

...we met again, in a different environment,

?in the same context,?

again as a team,?

with copy-paste the same roles & spirit,?

with a bright smile on our faces.?

always with respect.

always thankful.

Only people who do not settle for less could understand and appreciate this perspective.

& here we go again..!

Almost a year away from us.. always in our heart!

Tribute to Illeana