subject: Team Member Exits: 5 ways to retain strong teams after an employee exits [print this page] Team Member Exits: 5 ways to retain strong teams after an employee exits
It is no wonder today that when a majority of employees leave employment,the team interaction during the person's resignation periodusuallywrecks havoc on themorale with the remaining staff, leading to poor performance and a decrease inteam strength. Which leads to the question,
How do you ensure that your team is strong enough to deal with an employee's untimely exit from your company?
1. Always focus on the goal, and keep the team focusing on it
A team is just another word for a group of people working together to achieve a common purpose. That purpose remains unchanged, or should not change, when one person leaves.
2. Never let someone leave unceremoniously
What you do to others, others will do to you. People are always looking at what you are doing, and in particular, how you handle an employee during his notice period.
3. Its never a personal relationship, always a professional
As long as all the team members separate their personal lives and interactions, with professional relationships, you have a high chance of retaining your team spirit, even when someone leaves. Friends follow friends, but professionals act professionally and are more predictable in their behaviour. So keep your team interactions as professional as possible.
4. Do not replace someone to fit another person's shoes
The uniqueness in people's personalities, strengths and interactions makes is difficult for one person to fill another person's shoes, especially for strong performers. This can lead to undue pressure on the new candidate to perform as well ashis/her predecessor. Hence, space out replacements if you can, and also, always communicate the impression (and reality), that this is a new person with different background, expected to fill in a team role and be part of the team.
5. Focus on the team
Seek to balance work with the remaining team members and listen to their concerns. Communicate the need to work extra to cover for the vacant position while the company looks to fill it. Employees are human beings who understand and naturally step up to tough situations. In fact, you may be surprised with better performance than even when the team member who left was present had. A bonus, in recognition to the extra effort, may be taken very positively when offered at the end of the year, and may indeed set a positive mentality within the company, that when someone leaves, lets all dig in!
