The worst feeling a leader has…

You are a good manager, a leader, you are, you want to do things in a better way. You may have experienced this feeling.

What I’m going to tell you next is essential, because any person who is not a robot and has any empathy, will not want to be in this position.

The most soul-destroying thing that can happen is when one of your best team members, with vast knowledge, an outstanding performer and possibly even close friend who’s worked with you for years, knocks on the door and comes in with that piece of paper in their hand.

You know, the one that looks like a resignation letter …

The fear hits you, your mind races, why? Why now? What have I done? Why didn’t I see this coming? How am I going to replace them?

They sit down, and it feels emotional, it is emotional!

They start by saying;

“Sorry… But I’m handing in my notice.”

There’s that moment’s silence, and you want to say no! However, you know that if this person, a critical team member, a friend, the “through thick and thin” type has got to this point, it’s too late.

They’ve given you many chances, and you were asleep at the wheel, you didn’t see it coming.

Maybe you were crunching too, more overtime than anyone can manage and were just so tired. Perhaps just too many crunch periods meant this was the final straw for them.

It’s irrelevant now, you try and save the relationship, the situation, but all you end up talking about is the arrangements for a great send off, a leaving party to remember …

This particular team member got to their “limit” went past it and is broken… You missed it.

If you’ve been there and you care, these are leadership failures that stay with you.

That’s why I know what it does, and how it makes you feel …

The only way to prevent this is to stay connected to your whole team, it’s culture and be part of the ‘everyday' as much as you can.

Ask me how; because you’ll feel better, be better and lead better.