How many times have you seen when someone leaves an organization, it seems that anything and everything that went wrong and goes wrong over the next year is that departing person's fault? It has become such a common theme in our business environment that it is just expected. Blame the person who left (it's that easy). It is even worse when a senior leader departs, it seems that whatever good has happened in the past or continues to happen is because of the people remaining and everything that had gone wrong in the past or goes wrong (even after departure) is the fault of the departing leader, including such things as gas price increases, the economy faultering, and heard even global warming was to blame.
As a leader, it is important to stop this view, this makes no one accountable for any problems within the organization because all problems were the responsibility of a particular person who is no longer within the organization. Things go wrong in business all the time, no business is perfect. It is important to focus on resolution of any particular problem or issue with the team you have in place. Placing blame does no good. After resolution, debriefing on how the issue can be prevented in the future is the most productive time spent. (anyway, the people pointing the blame are usually the ones who are really to blame and covering up their issues).
I just wish that people would speak up before any departure about issues and address them at that time versus conveniently waiting until someone leaves and then "only one side of the story is told" and that becomes fact. Time and time again, I have stated, do the right thing even if in the minority. Standing up to wrongful blaming is one of those times because reputations are on the line.
I say to all, it is not worth looking back, focus on the future, people will say whatever they will say, you have no control over history (or those who like to revisit history). The facts are the facts even though some might misinterpret them! Actually, they are sometimes amusing (I know of one case that everybody who could spell the initiative was the inventor of it, how could 100 people come up with one invention I dont know but hey people take credit sometimes for something that they were on the fringes for but no real impact). When you leave (not if you leave, but when), leave because you are running towards an exciting opportunity versus running away from something, because when you run towards an opportunity you wont look back, but running away, you will constantly be looking back . . . Focus on the Future! There are lots of exciting opportunities out there, if you did good things in one place, you will do it again in another place (and maybe even be rewarded this time).
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4 comments:
Steve, why not start writing about what you are doing instead of looking back.
Hey, I thought revisionist history was limited to political spin. Guess we can all get into the act. Look to the future, but don't forget the past (don't want to repeat those mistakes too often.)
You can't defeat the blame the person who just left meme' though (it's way too easy).
Really like the part about running toward, not away.
sorry the post was misinterpreted, as the whole purpose of the piece is to not look back. Many of my colleagues who have left, still have lingering feelings of being done wrong in their past company. It was meant for them to move on, anytime someone leaves, things will get blamed, it is standard operating procedure. Again, I try to talk about things that will be helpful for people based upon my experiences and opinions. Not everyone needs to agree.
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