When a Staff Member Leaves
How you react when a staff member leaves is important and very telling. As I write this we are at the end of the marching season and a member of your staff may decide to work with a different program or take a change of direction in their life. How are you going to react?
It can be human nature to take this personally. But someone making a change in their own life is not a reflection on your work or your program. Each of us is motivated by a variety of desires and priorities. We all make choices for ourselves which ultimately impact others.
I recently worked with a company that was doing good work and they reached out to me to help them create a new service that would help their business. I agreed to this work and gave them a lot of hours, sweat, and great ideas. Ultimately I feel this led them onto a path which has proved to be very beneficial to them.
But the day came when I realized that my life was changing, I had new priorities, and I could no longer give them the amount of time and effort my role would require. I told them I could not continue in my role, gave them time to find a replacement, and tried to explain how my life had changed.
Unfortunately, the leaders of this company took it personally. They could only see how this hurt their business. Since that time I have been treated as an enemy and they refuse to work with me in any other way.
Of course, they also could have thanked me for my hard work, for all the ideas that led their business in a positive and profitable direction, and we could have stayed friends. I don’t know why they could not see this bigger picture, but it seems they could only focus on their fear of being hurt by my departure.
If one of your staff members walks into your office to give you the news that they are leaving or moving to another program, you have the choice to see the bigger picture. Thank them for their hard work and for all the ways they helped your program. Thank them for the time and attention they gave to your students, and then wish them well as they move on with their own career path. This positive attitude will draw other wonderful people to you.
I can tell you from experience that this approach will pay off for you. I have separated from clients when our relationship seemed to be struggling, but left with a handshake and thank you. Rather than burning bridges, I thanked them for the opportunity to be a part of their band family. Years later, I have sometimes been surprised when a director reached out to me to work with them again. The situation was right for both of us, and this person said that they remembered how hard I worked, that I delivered on time as promised, and that they now had a new band which needed my skill set again.
Try to be the bigger man and see the bigger perspective. People are watching. They will note how you talk about past staff members. You will attract other great people if they know you have treated others kindly and professionally. Remember that someone leaving your staff has more to do with them than with you, and wish them well!
Tim Hinton
November 10, 2023
