How we leave a place sets the stage for how we will enter the next season.

My father was in sales management for most of his career. I learned about sales by listening to him talk with his sales team. People actually spoke on a telephone back in his day. I'm thankful texting had yet to be invented so I could learn by hearing.

I remember on several occasions, he had sales people call to resign or say good-bye on their last day at work. He would turn to me and say, "Son, you learn more about the character of a person in their last two weeks on the job than in all of their previous days at work."

I didn't fully understand his point until I experienced his lesson as an employer and as one who was leaving a place.

Leaving a job opens the door for more candid conversation. People will speak the truth more clearly. Some people will fabricate with great skill. The fact is: Behaviors change after a notice is given.  

Wouldn't it be great if transparency in the workplace occurred every day? The grapevine shouldn't be the source of information. Workers shouldn't be afraid to share thinking. Leaders should create a culture of open communication.

This sounds great in theory but in practice our autopsies discover multiple bites of the tongue. Many people who leave an organization, leave because they feel "unheard." 

It's a leadership issue when silence is rewarded over counterpoint.

But the real leadership lesson for today is to teach your team the proper behavior for leaving a place. It's not just about HR procedures.

Lead the leaver into proper preparation for a spiritual separation. If God is engaged in the departure, order and peace will prevail.

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" (Heb. 13:8).

Dr. Steve Greene is the publisher and executive vice president of the media group at Charisma Media and executive producer of the Charisma Podcast Network. His book, Love Leads: The Spiritual Connection Between Your Relationships and Productivity, is now available.

Leaders, Dr. Greene wants to help you understand the spiritual connection between relationships and productivity. Read his new blog, here.

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