When Your Boss Resigns

People will come and go throughout your lifetime in every sort of relationship that you have — friendships may fade, romances come to an end and professional colleagues leave to explore new opportunities. Sometimes, this might come to you as a relief but, often, saying goodbye is hard to do. 

I understand this can come as a shock, particularly if this boss hired you, mentored you, championed your growth and successes, gave you opportunities, and has generally been an important, constant person in your day-to-day life for a period of time. Learning that your boss is leaving can be scary, because it opens up a lot of unknowns. Before you fall into a panicked spiral — What happens to me? Is my job secure? What if their replacement doesn’t like me? — just breathe. And then, set yourself up for success. 

Seek information and avoid gossip. 

Your boss resigning doesn’t necessarily mean that your job is in jeopardy or that the company is having trouble. Gossip can spread fast in the workplace, so make a point to avoid engaging in any of that. Stay professional and be diplomatic. Find out what you can from your boss directly, and if that is not possible, then direct your questions to HR. Offer to help, ask plenty of questions about transition plans and possible department restructuring, and rely on the facts — not fear. 

Keep up the good work throughout the transition. 

Try your best not to let your supervisor’s resignation impact the quality of your work. Calmly focus on your responsibilities, including any additional ones that you might have to take on for the time being. 

If you are taking on more, then this can be an opportunity for you to show senior leadership (the bosses of your boss) what you are capable of and how committed you are — so let them see how great you are! Either way, your exiting boss will appreciate your efforts, and you’ll be keeping morale high and setting a good tone for your team and the new, incoming leadership. 

Stay in touch with your former boss. 

It’s normal to feel bummed when your boss leaves the company, particularly if you had a great relationship with them. I get it — I’ve been there, and I have even shed tears! Just try to be happy for them and make a point to stay in contact with them. This person can remain a trusted mentor and friend, even if you are no longer working together. 

Establish a relationship with new leadership. 

Schedule time to meet with your new boss (or the interim manager) when they get started. You want to fill them in on what your duties are and the things you are primarily responsible for, any cross-functions that you support across the team, projects that you’re working on currently, and also any open items that require guidance. Learn about their ideas and expectations. Be flexible and open-minded during this period. Perhaps what began as disruption can turn out to be an opportunity!

Always have a back-up plan. 

Most of my advice is geared toward people who are happy in their job and with their company and want to make it work after their boss leaves. If that isn’t the case for you, or if the new structure ends up not working out for you, then it’s smart to be prepared. You may consider updating your résumé and reconnecting with former colleagues and other industry contacts if you need to start looking for something new. It might end up not being necessary at all, but this can create a bit of security for you. 

So, yes — breaking up is hard to do, but it’s not the end of the road! The best thing to do for yourself is first process what is happening, and then you can lean in and embrace the change. Be prepared, advocate for yourself, do your best work, find new ways to be inspired, seize opportunities and keep pushing forward.