If your boss suddenly decides to resign, it can feel like a bombshell. You probably weren’t expecting it at all. And now you’re left to pick up the pieces and figure out what’s next.
You probably have so many questions:
- Will the company replace or fill the position?
- What will my new boss be like?
- Will my workload increase?
- Is there an opportunity for me to get promoted?
It’s understandable and normal for you to feel concerned or worried about how this huge change will impact your career and even your job security.
When my boss suddenly announced her resignation exactly three weeks after starting a new position, I was shocked and, to be honest, a little worried.
I was so new to the company and was wondering how this change would impact my future at the company. But it taught me a few lessons about embracing change and how to handle the situation.
Try to understand why your boss resigned
These days employees rarely stay in one job for their entire career. In fact, it’s quite common for employees to switch jobs to level-up their careers.
But what we often forget is our bosses are humans too. They also want to progress in their careers. They have goals that they want to achieve, just like us. And if they get offered an amazing opportunity that is in line with their career goals, it can be pretty hard to turn down.
They may also have other circumstances that cause them to leave their position, whether it be work-life balance or a life-changing event. You need to understand that they are doing what they feel is right for their career and life.
Stay calm
Even though many thoughts are going through your mind, the important thing is to remain calm. Being worried won’t help. It will only cause you to stress out. Instead, try to calm your worries and start to think about how this could positively impact your career.
Embrace change
It’s cliche, but change is inevitable. Change is a part of life, and that means we have to get to very comfortable with change. But the good thing about change is that it helps us to grow by putting us into uncomfortable situations that force us to adopt a different approach or shift our mindsets.
Assess your career goals
Your boss resigning is a good time for you to take a step back and look at where you are in your career and where you want to go. Reflect on your experiences and achievements in your current role and start to think about how you can continue to learn and grow professionally.
You might find that you are ready for the next chapter in your career. And who knows, maybe you could be the perfect fit for your boss’s old position.
Step up your game
When someone leaves, especially a manager or senior executive, it can be very disruptive for the team. Bringing in someone new to fill the open position would probably cause even more friction.
So most companies choose to promote from within to backfill the role. That means you have the opportunity to step up and show that you’re ready to take on the challenge.
Be open
On the flip side, if your company does decide to hire someone else from outside the company to fill the role, you should try to keep an open mind. Welcome your new boss with open arms and give them a chance to prove themselves capable of the role. They may have a different leadership style or way of doing things, but be open and make adjustments where necessary.
Ask questions
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. If you are curious about why your boss is leaving? Ask. If you are wondering how it will impact you and your team? Ask.
With such a major announcement, it’s understandable to have a mountain of questions, but don’t just bottle them in, seek answers to your questions. Remember, this is something that could impact your career, so you need to have all the facts so you can also make the right decisions for your career.
Keep in touch
If you had a great relationship with your boss, it’s a no-brainer for you to keep in touch. But even if you weren’t very close, it’s still a good idea to keep the professional link.
If you aren’t already connected on LinkedIn, go ahead and connect with them if they have an account. LinkedIn is great for keeping professional connections and allows you to touch base with your former manager easily and to see what they’re up to at their new company.
Ask for a recommendation
LinkedIn recommendations are a great way to showcase your skills and work ethic, especially when it’s coming from someone you reported to in an organization.
Since your boss is leaving, now is a good time to ask for a LinkedIn recommendation. It’s also a lot less awkward asking for the recommendation since they are leaving.
If your boss is nice and you two had a good working relationship, he or she should be more than willing to recommend you on LinkedIn.
Find the silver lining
As upset or worried as you may be, in most situations, there is usually a silver lining. That means that something positive could come from this unexpected change.
