How to Quit Gracefully
A corporate communication strategy for walking out that door
No matter why you decide to leave your job, keep these three words in mind: Cash your check.
Just kidding. That is absolutely not my advice, either in my capacity as a corporate communication coach or as a human being.
My three words of quitting advice are more pragmatic, and sometimes easier said than done: Don’t burn bridges.
Though you may be thrilled to leave your job, don’t leave on bad terms. No ghosting, no checking out, and definitely no door slamming. In fact, go the extra mile to make sure you’re not only leaving on not-bad terms, but in a way that makes your colleagues feel respected and like your time together had value. Though you may be the one who’s leaving the team, a professional relationship is still a relationship; it’s not all about you.
Some companies have specific protocols for giving notice. If there aren’t any formal rules at your workplace, I suggest you first chat with your supervisor or the person who hired you to explain your decisions and date of departure.
Once your final day has been announced, I also recommend sending an email to everyone on your team — or everyone in your company, if that feels appropriate — that lets them know how much you’ve…
