#careertransition – #7 of 8 | I recently went through a process of career exploration and made a significant career switch. This series of 8 posts is a synthesis of the lessons I’ve learnt.
Take the time to say goodbye. Meet anyone who wants to meet you. And make sure to take the time to meet people you want to thank. A simple thank-you note takes effort but goes a long way.
It helps to remember that the most important question in the mind of the person you’re meeting is “what does this mean for me?” That tends to be the central theme of such conversations. Keeping this in mind helps you be there for them.
Sometimes people react in ways that might seem unsettling or unkind. There’s no need to read too much into it. When you make a change, it gets people to reflect on where they are. Their response is frequently more about their headspace than about you.
When you have these conversations, focus on the good times. It’s easy to leave feeling bitter or sounding bitter. You might get the opportunity to share feedback. Do it as authentically as possible. But the goal is not to prove a point to anybody.
Multiple things can be true. You might have had a good run. You might have made meaningful connections. And it might be time for a new adventure. For you. That’s the key.
This is where internal clarity helps. When you’ve made a decision, be clear in the truth of why you made it and why it’s the right one for you. That clarity will help you shake away any unpleasantness and stay focused on doing the right thing. The goal is keep these relationships. It’s a small world and you never know when your paths will cross again.
Perhaps more importantly, in the final analysis, the memories and the people are all we have.
A Learning a Day 