Departing is not necessarily about saying good-bye. Departing
is about carefully packing your suitcase in order to prepare for the next stop
along your journey. What you decide to pack; what you leave behind; as well as
how you pack your suitcase may define your leadership. When I embark upon a
journey, I almost always inadvertently leave an obscure, luckily, non-essential
item, behind…which in the end may enable me to say so long, see you later and
not good-bye.
So WHAT is it that I am packing in my suitcase as I prepare
for my new journey?
- Knowledge gained through collaboration, trust, and hard work
- Diverse abilities achieved and practiced through my interactions with others
- Skills mastered through experimentation with varied techniques, tools, and methods
- Empathy and compassion used regularly as I heard, observed and responded to the stories of students, colleagues, and parents
- Lessons learned through the development of essential relationships across the community
- Connections to people and ideas within and beyond my community that have inspired, motivated and engaged me professionally and personally.
So HOW do I pack my suitcase?
- First, by prioritizing, listing, and organizing the most essential items for the journey
- Second, by deciphering the most versatile elements that can be counted on multiple times along the journey
- Third, by attempting to efficiently place each item for easy access; as well as to leave enough space to add important treasures that I encounter along the way
- Finally, well, I do tend to stuff some favorite items along the sides suggesting perfection is just not what life is all about……… not yet sure what those items will be!
And WHAT will I leave behind?
Only time will tell, but considering all I have learned from
my colleagues throughout my stay, some part of me most likely is resisting the
departure, and will be left behind. I only hope, whatever it may be, it will be
useful to a group of wonderful educators that have been such an important part
of my journey. When you encounter that left behind item, please give me a
shout, as I will be thinking of each and everyone one of you as I embark on
this new journey. I do leave behind a heartfelt THANK YOU for sharing your
expertise, embracing my passions and always looking for the opportunity to have
some fun!
And little by little I will be unpacking that suitcase and
gathering new experiences and expertise for my life-long learning journey……
See you later and THANK YOU.
Some Useful Blog Posts for Departing Employees:
(Thanks for sharing @mmreesescott)
http://www.fastcompany.com/3031659/4-ways-to-end-a-professional-relationship?partner=rss (Thanks for sharing @mmreesescott)
Please add to the list.
