What if workplace transitions didn’t have to be messy?
Most of the time, when someone decides to leave your team, they don’t tell you.
They quietly job hunt, land an offer, and then give their notice—leaving you scrambling to fill the gap. Transition becomes a fire drill. And sometimes, it even leads to hard feelings.
They don’t do this to make your life difficult. They do it out of fear.
- Fear of being fired on the spot
- Fear of burning bridges
- Fear of the unknown
Ever heard a manager say something like, “Well, if you don’t want to be here, don’t let the door hit you on the way out"? We have.
Workplace transitions can be a mess.
But here's the thing: It doesn't have to be that way.
Kris often talks about how she had the privilege of working with Christie Naus, our communications coordinator, for over two and a half years. Kris says that, early on, it was clear Christie would eventually outgrow her role. So Kris made a simple request:
“When you’re ready to transition, let me know—before you start looking for another position.”
And Christie did.
When the time came, she shared openly that she was ready for a larger team, with room to grow and full benefits. She hadn’t started looking yet, but she was honest. And because she trusted us with this, there was only one real choice—to support her.
A workplace transition without the chaos
Instead of stress, the team experienced a smooth, collaborative transition. Christie got the support and encouragement she needed to find her next opportunity. In turn, she helped complete key projects and train her replacement.
And the real magic? She found her replacement.
Think about all the time and effort that goes into finding the right hire.
Because Christie knew the job inside and out—along with the culture and expectations—she identified a candidate who was a fantastic fit, someone the team might never have found otherwise.
A radical question for leaders
Do you genuinely support someone who wants to leave?
If so, you might…
- Connect them with business colleagues or friends
- Recommend them on LinkedIn or share their resume
- Be their wingperson at a networking event
- Help them find a position where they could truly shine
- Celebrate their departure with well wishes
Next time, give it a try. What do you have to lose? Because here’s the truth:
When you support people on the way out, you create a culture where they’re even more committed while they’re in.
That’s the power of handling workplace transitions with trust, clarity, and respect.
Want to create a healthier approach to workplace transitions?
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