How to Resign (Part 1 of 3)

I don't know about other industries,

I don't know about other industries, but when a lawyer says he is resigning and "going out on his own" is the time he needs to be shown the door. Every moment he stays in the building is a moment his building his new practice at your expense.

I have had lawyers resign to go into governement work and one even went off to be a house husband. Usually the notice was good and we were able to wind down their employment. When I have them go on their own or to a competing firm, they are just gathering my marbles to take them with them.

Six Weeks?? Damn! I've only got one if

Six Weeks?? Damn! I've only got one if I'm lucky!

I hope this first cast has a great overview....

Brad

Eric- Great point! Some

Eric-

Great point! Some thoughts:

First, our post was about YOU resigning. We didn't say that everyone who resigned TO you would give YOU six weeks!

If they don't, you'll need a way to recover... and that's another cast.

I guess your comment disappoints me about the ethics of lawyers, if your experience is representative. If someone were working for me and they felt comfortable staying while specifically using their job to undercut the firm, I would fire them. If I were worried that they WOULD do that, I would know that in advance, and develop a plan to cover in the event of their leaving. And, it's possible that I would "show them the door" if I felt misused when they announced... but I'd consider it a failure in our relationship and my insights.

Regardless, even if your industry has different standards, giving your boss this much notice is the professional thing to do. If he/she doesn't want you to stay around, well... we covered that in the cast.

Mark

Great start, Mike and Mark. Timing is

Great start, Mike and Mark. Timing is everything (so I once again have a flash of the blinding obvious). However, it's true and the scenarios you discuss (i.e., here come the guards) happen more often than people realize.

A short story - I remember coming out of the Army and being placed by a recruiter in an operations/retail manager role. One day, after a ridiculous time at my new role, and an order from the company to move to somewhere they never mentioned during the interviews, I called my recruiter to tell him I was quitting. To my surprise I couldn't reach him - he'd been fired. My overriding concern was his health and his family. HIS overriding concern was my decision to leave...why? when? where to next?

EVERYTHING that friend discussed with me is mentioned in this podcast. I never thought about it...I was right in leaving, but not right in how I did it...well, 10 years later, I wish I had handled differently...Please realize that Mark and Mike are correct - emotion isn't a good reason. Take a step back...compose the MFR...and be prepared.

Resigning isn't fun. It takes reflection and composure. It also is somewhat symbolic of changing times...you, your goals, or the business has changed. Not every employer will be someone's "Vietnam" (Worldcom maybe, Mike?). However, a resignation is a battle. Take the high road...don't burn your bridges (ethical issues excepted)

Good luck to my partners in this community. Be leaders - do it right. To M&M - your timing is amazing. I hope my "next time" follows your advice.

gracias

There's a quote from General Patton on

There's a quote from General Patton on the wall in the entryway to the Division Commander's Office of the 25th Infantry Division of the US Army of Schofield Barracks, Hawaii (where Mike and I served):

Always Take The High Ground.

Mark

M&M, I found this podcast really

M&M,
I found this podcast really useful even if I have to say that in other countries is not exactly the same and habits and professional "tradition" drive the resignign process. Having another jod in the hands before resigning is especially important in countries ex US where it is not easy to find in a short time other opportunities. Saying that I want to ask you how to justify, during a recruiting interview, your intention to leave your actual company without giving the impression that you are jumping from one to another ( I changed in ten years 4 companies) or that you are leaving because your company did not recognize your efforts (could be interpreted as poor performance). In other words how to respond to the question that surely comes: "Why are you thinking to leave your actual company ?".
Thanks for your time

Bilbo- I'd love it if you share some

Bilbo-

I'd love it if you share some of the habits and traditions of resigning in Italy!

No matter what your answer, there is a chance that it will be misinterpreted. I think the best answers here are vague. "My goals weren't in as much alignment with the company's as they used to be." "My plans for the future were not as compatible as I wanted..."

Mark

Dear Mark hi! I'm new in the Podcast

Dear Mark hi!

I'm new in the Podcast world and I just discovered yours. It's amazing!!! I have a question. You recommended a book in the first part of this "How to resign" and I can't manage to remember it. May you help me, please?

Thanks a lot for your support.
From a sunny Madrid,
AM

[...] First off, if you’re looking for

[...] First off, if you’re looking for some good advice on how to resign, I highly recommend listening to the “How to Resign” podcast from Manager Tools (part 1, part 2, part 3). Heck, even if you think you know what you’re doing, listen to them - you just might pick something up. [...]

hi, are you planning to release slides

hi,
are you planning to release slides and show notes for this cast?

thank you

vadim

Quitting Immediately because an accident

Hi

I just quit my job as a laborer because I was stranded on top of a materials lift which ran out of fuel. I had told the company owner and the manager it was low on fuel the day before, that week before and again two weeks before. Right before I was stuck on the lift I was told never to use the material lift because I used a steering setting that my manger did not like. The owner was said I could operate equipment but the manager did not like me doing anything differently them him. As he grabbed the controls from me it was clear that my manger did not understand how to use the steering settings. Then I was told to get on the lift and work, he left and when the operator tried to move me the lift would not start. I had to jump to second story window after the operator moved lift by forcing the engine to crank with the battery only.

Once I was safe on the ground I picked up fuel myself and helped to restart the engine. After the engine was started and the battery was charging my co-worker who was working on another job turned the engine off even though I told him not to because was charging the battery. He said that that manger said I was not supposed to touch the lift. I became very upset, said I was quitting, shook everybody’s hand, told everyone it was nice working with them. I went to office submitted my last time card, said I was quitting to the manager and the owner, shook everybody’s hand, told everyone it was nice working with them. The owner asked me if something had happened I told him that I was just not able to handle the stress of the job.

I also quit because I had been working 60 hour weeks and was not paid overtime. I also quit because the manager had been yelling a lot at me and used racist language the day before.

The day after I quit I submitted a O.S.H.A. complaint and reported to state I was not being paid overtime. I went in to the office to pick up another check and meet with the boss. He was very apologetic and hoped we would still be friends.

What do you all think, did I quit the right way? After listing this podcast I feel like I should of waited till I had another job and just taken a few days to chill out.
Jacob