As someone who’s spent most of his career working in “at will” America, I find long notice periods… a little strange.
It seems sensible to keep your departure on the Q.T. for a while, so only people who “need to know” get told. But someone always needs to know, so your departure is never really a secret. And before long – and long before you’re gone – practically everyone knows.
Those days and weeks can feel a bit like attending your own wake, or listening to your own eulogy.
Some stop seeking your input, stop including you in conversations, even stop making eye contact. Some decide you can’t help them accomplish… whatever it is they’re trying to accomplish anymore, and stop involving you. Anything you’ve asked for tends to fall to the bottom of people’s priority lists, or on the floor, whichever is further.
People reach out to say farewell, or find out why you’re leaving, or both. And some, who regret that you’re leaving, try to get more shared time. Try to get more of whatever they think you’re good at, or good for, in the time that’s left.
It was one of those interactions that made me write this, and suggested its title.
A colleague, who I’ve come to respect as a co-worker and value as a friend, said some very kind words about the impact I’ve had over the time we’ve worked together.
All prefaced with “it goes without saying…”
And book-ended with “and the things that go without saying are often the things most worth saying.”
Absolutely true.