5 Key Steps for Business Leaders Facing a Resignation This Week 🚪💼
The key thing is NOT to panic. ❌ The first working week of January is consistently one of the top three weeks for resignations. Why? • Sales professionals often wait until their bonuses hit the bank. • Others take the New Year as a time to reflect, reset, and pursue new career opportunities. If you’ve received a resignation this week, you’re not alone. But how you respond will make all the difference.
Here are our top 5 tips to navigate this situation with clarity and confidence:
✅ 1. Take a Deep Breath
Before you react or start a frantic recruitment process, pause and reflect.
- Why did this resignation occur?
- What does this mean for your strategy?
- What kind of person and role will add more value to your team than the one you’ve lost?
This is a chance to rethink and strengthen, not just to replace.
✅ 2. Show Gratitude and Grace
Even if the resignation feels inconvenient, recognize and appreciate the contributions of your departing team member.
- Why? Because your response reflects your leadership style.
- How? It preserves goodwill and leaves the door open for future collaborations.
The world is small—you never know when your paths may cross again.
✅ 3. Communicate Transparently
Don’t leave your team in the dark. Address the resignation promptly and with a clear plan:
- Frame the departure as an opportunity for growth.
- Reassure your team about next steps and continuity.
Transparency fosters trust and prevents unnecessary speculation.
✅ 4. Be Strategic About Recruitment
Recruitment isn’t just about filling a gap—it’s about solving for the future.
- If the role requires niche expertise, be deliberate in your approach.
- Avoid low-cost or high-volume methods that focus on “quick fixes.”
Instead, explore strategies that deliver quality over quantity, ensuring you find the best fit—not just the fastest option.
✅ 5. Consult External Experts
Partner with an Executive Search consultant or recruitment expert.
- They can provide market insights and data to guide your decisions.
- They’ll help you avoid “knee-jerk” hires that solve short-term issues but create long-term challenges.
Remember: a resignation may cause short-term pain, but a thoughtful hiring process will set you up for long-term success.
Every resignation is a chance to refine your team, your strategy, and your approach to leadership. Use this moment wisely!
About the author
Having started his career in Executive Search in 1998, Doug set up Collingwood in 2005 alongside his wife, Claire Mackay.
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