This week in pm-clinic: Being shown the door
This week in the pm-clinic discussion forum:
After two years as a general manager, building a team of 25 from scratch, my VP is showing me the door. More precisely, I’m being asked to find a role elsewhere in the company. Yes I’m devistated, but that’s not the point.
My challenge: how do I message my leaving why I’m leaving? Most of them came to the org because of me: I recruited them on the basis of my commitment to them and the project. I don’t want to be ugly and badmouth the VP, but I don’t want to lie either. How do I message this honestly, but create the least damage for the team and whoever has to replace me?
– Signed, trying to close the door (TCTD)
Draft a statement, send it to the VP for his approval/agreement and then distribute the approved/agreed statement. If the VP makes substantial changes to your statement then — it’s a tough world — you either use that statement and stay with the company or you leave the company.
It should go without saying, but I’ll say it anyway: no matter what happens in the future, no matter who you talk to in the future, you always stick to that statement.
I find it interesting that you are asking this question because your question talks about building up a team but doesn’t seem to acknowledge that you, too, are expected to be part of the team at the next level of management. Perhaps your teamwork skills need some reexamination.
It all depends on people. Especially on the VP side. When I was leaving my team (in different situation however) I decided to tell the truth, no matter what my VP wanted me to say.
The VP also had a chance to describe his point of view to the team, so I believe it was fair.
I think people deserve to know the truth. I believe their reaction to the truth will be better (even from the perspective ofthe VP) than some lies, which will be sooner or later revealed. Me former team wasn’t harmed much. As far as I know they become stronger as a team.