As many of our readers and all my friends and family know, I am an avid practitioner of yoga. About a year ago, I converted my entire practice to Ashtanga Yoga and it’s now the only type of yoga that I practice. Ashtanga Yoga is traditionally practiced in the Mysore style which means the student practices individually learning at their own pace and works with a teacher as needed. I’ve been working with the same teacher for the past year and recently he let all his students know that he’s moving to Miami for a big career opportunity. Heart break!
At the end of last year, my husband sent me an instant message saying, “$&@! Kent [his manager] is leaving.” At first I thought he was talking about leaving for the day, but what he meant was for another opportunity. Another heart breaker.
It got me thinking that saying goodbye in our professional and personal lives is hard; really hard sometimes. Therefore, here are two important reminders for all of us related to saying goodbye.
It’s not about you!
My yoga teacher’s decision to leave the Mysore program in Chicago and move to Miami has nothing to do with me. Yes, he built a great yoga program from scratch and enjoys working with his students, but we his students have nothing to do with his future career opportunity. It’s all about the person making the decision to leave. And that’s it! Each individual is the only person really responsible for looking out for their career. I look out for my career, my manager looks out for her career, and my yoga teacher looks out for his career. Hence, when someone in your professional or personal life announces their departure, remember, it’s not about you, it’s about them. Oh, and be happy and support that person’s decision!
Stay in Touch – it’s Easy
LinkedIn, Facebook, and all the other social media applications make it easier than ever to stay in touch with those that have left your employer. My husband and his former manager have continued to exchange LinkedIn messages and have met up for lunch already. I keep in touch with numerous former colleagues from previous roles via LinkedIn and Gmail which is not only good for sustaining relationships, but for your professional development as well.
So perhaps say goodbye, but not goodbye for forever.
It’s so true. It’s hard not to think about how people leaving will affect YOU but it’s more about THEM. It’s important to celebrate the next phase of their life/career with them.