Quitting Mid-Crisis (Bonus)

Are you leaving your organization during a critical time? Dan and Alison answer your questions with the help of Shirli Kopelman, a negotiations professor at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business. In this bonus episode, they talk through what to do when you’re planning to give notice during the coronavirus pandemic and can’t train your replacement.

From Alison and Dan’s reading list:

HBR: How to Quit Your Job with Style by Steven DeMaio — “If you can retain a working relationship with your employer (freelancing, consultung, etc.), by all means do. Make your desire for that clear when you give your notice. If that doesn’t fit what you’re doing next, stay connected in other ways, such as real-world and online social settings, professional organizations, and occasional visits to your old stomping grounds.”

HBR: Make Your Emotions Work for You in Negotiations by Shirli Kopelman — “Emotions will inevitably arise during negotiations but instead of letting them happen to you or trying to overcome them, use them genuinely and strategically to get what you want and create value for everyone.”

HBR: How to Quit Your Job Without Burning Bridges by Rebecca Knight — “Who hasn’t fantasized about walking into the boss’s office, saying: ‘I quit!’ and then marching straight out the door? The rational side of you knows, of course, that that’s the wrong way to resign from a job. But what is the right approach? Who should you tell first? How much notice should you give? And how honest should you be about your reasons for leaving?”

HBR: Navigating the Emotional Side of a Career Transition by Ron Ashkenas — “The first hurdle is the sense of guilt about leaving a previous employer or career. If you’ve formed strong relationships with people and if the company has invested in your development, then leaving can feel like betrayal. Dozens of managers have told me they turned down exploring new opportunities because they didn’t want to leave their current employer and co-workers in the lurch.”