Welcome back, everyone! We hope that you are gearing up to head into a long, holiday weekend. We are so grateful to our brave veterans who deserve a day full of gratitude, relaxation, and joy. Please read below to find out more about navigation transitions at work. Whether you are heading to a new role internally, seeking an external opportunity, or simply rotating within your same team…this article is for you!

Let’s Chat…Handing off Your Role:

• Preparation: Above all, preparing to leave your future “replacement” in a beneficial spot is the most courteous way to create a smooth transition. After all, you aren’t expected to stay in one role your whole life, so leaving on good terms with any company, team, or manager will likely revolve around how you leave things. If you have any outstanding projects, due dates, emails to get back to, etc., put in the extra time over your last few weeks to complete everything so that the next employee can start FRESH!
• Create Guides or Manuals: Almost every single role across each business industry comes with specific software, operations, logistics, templates, etc. Be mindful of systems or processes that you may have unique knowledge about; creating standard work guides, best practice resources, or other training materials is a great way to not only mitigate the need for you to continue helping the team after leaving but will set your team up for sustainable success after you’re gone.
  • Extra tips: Think through the technology or platforms that you use on a daily basis to complete your given role. How can you create a resource (most likely an online document) that will assist the next employee with completing their tasks? Where did you learn the platform? Which teammates helped you to train? Thinking through the inputs you utilized to become a pro in your role is part of going the extra mile to showcase your care for your transition and commitment to any company. This does not need to be a novel… a few pages may suffice! Just make sure all login information is converted, platforms are explained, directions are given… and you’ll be set to leave!
• Transfer Contact Information: This may be best situated within a resource document, but we encourage you to write down any applicable contract information that will help the future team member. Whether this means other team members, Microsoft Teams groups, your manager, or any other employee “resources,” documenting these people’s contact info. is guaranteed to save this person time when they run into a question! Also, if you’re able to, make sure to add your replacement to any relevant distribution lists so that they can hop onto email chains even before joining your team.
• Act as an Ongoing Resource! Finally, we highly encourage you to offer ongoing assistance, at least over the first few weeks when the new person takes their role. While they may be feeling flustered, guiding someone through a task you’ve likely done for years will take minimal time out of your day! Being a resource to this person is not only great “karma” for you but an awesome way to continue showing your company that you care.