Resigning Like a Pro-Achiever

It’s not uncommon to have periods in your career when you feel it’s necessary to resign from your job. Hopefully, it’s to make a move that will advance your career and help fulfill your aspirations. Being careful in how you resign is particularly important since it is always wise to NOT burn a bridge.

You never know for sure, until you get there if the anticipated “greener grass” is any greener than the side you are on. Who Knows? You may want to return to your previous place of employment in a higher-level position sometime in the future.

You might be asking “What does pro-achievement have to do with resigning from my job?” Pro-achievers take great pride in looking to themselves to add value in what they do and say. That even includes resigning from a job.

Anyone, at any level, and at any time can elect to be a pro-achiever! So, taking on a pro-achievement way of thinking and operating when resigning means ensuring a smooth and easy transition.

A great example of someone who exemplified pro-achievement is a senior hospitality leader whom I’ve known for 30 years. She told me that when she was ready to resign, she assessed and put in writing where the department was regarding organizational and team goals. She re-examined job descriptions and made sure they were up to date for each team member. She examined their departmental manuals to make sure they were accurate and current. She even put together a wish list of what the department was hoping could be completed, both in the short and long-term. She left her position with a clean slate and was admired to the end by her organization for taking the time to make sure her replacement was up to speed upon the day of her departure. She even volunteered to coach her replacement after she had left.

Pro-achievers don’t do what’s common practice, they go a notch beyond normal expectations and do what makes sense. Like my hospitality leader friend, they’re dedicated to adding value even when there is no obvious personal reward.