Leaving Well

During a recent meeting with one of my clients, we spoke about an employee who was preparing to leave their company after several years. With only a handful of days left, he was now refusing to carry out the responsibilities tied to his position, leaving others in a lurch. All I could think about, as we had this conversation, was what a shame it is that we don't do a better job of helping people understand the concept of "leaving well." Consider how many times we talk about making a good first impression on someone, or getting off on the right foot... There are even books like "The First 90 Days" that are designed to support us in launching successfully. But where is the book "The Last 90 Days," where we're taught that the manner in which you leave speaks volumes about your character and maturity. For dozens of different reasons, partnerships come to an end; how we walk away matters, even when (especially when) the situation is tough. Leave well, and help others learn to do the same. You rarely, if ever, get the opportunity to make a second last impression.