To begin with the end in mind means to start with a clear understanding of your destination.
It may comfort you to know, I’ve got this covered. I will have read the safety pamphlets, checked for flotation devices and examined the latch on the exit door. Even before boarding, while we are all still sitting at the gate, I will have identified the passengers who I believe can calmly and deliberately assist in moving small children, little dogs and freaked out passengers toward the inflatable slide. And throughout the flight, you can be sure I’ll be deciding who should be voted off the island, if things were to come to that. So, don’t be kicking the back of my seat, Ainsley.
Further, if business leadership guru Stephen Covey were on that plane, and alive, I’d want him to give up his business class seat for the one next to me in the exit row, because this is how he thinks: “To begin with the end in mind means to start with a clear understanding of your destination. It means to know where you’re going so that you better understand where you are now and so that the steps you take are always in the right direction.”
We might not be expecting our destination to be found through the exit door right at the moment, but this is smart thinking, Steve. For example, consider how much time and preparation goes into applying for a new job or exploring another business opportunity. We may refresh our resume, study up on a company, research the market, pull together evidence of our ability to succeed, consider the people we’d want to be working with and put some thought into how we would approach projects and opportunities ahead.
We also may be wondering who might give us a glowing reference. If we are in the habit of thinking with the end in mind – developing our exit row strategy, so to speak – identifying names of those who will vouch for us, speak about our work ethic and list our accomplishments should be easy. Ideally, we would have provided a lot of material for them to use because we’ve long considered how to positively impact the company, how we will behave even under pressure and how those we worked with will smile at the mention of our name, even after we’ve moved on.
Starting with a clear path for our exit row strategy helps us understand what we want to accomplish while in that seat or with that company and how to avoid tripping on the way out. We can be clear about how we want to benefit the organization or the others joining us on the journey, and how we want to grow from the experience. It sets us up with direction, goals and, eventually, a beautiful track record of accomplishment and good will with which to understand our value and impact. Knowing this gives us confidence to negotiate our next position or project, and helps us make a case for others to participate with us. Hence, having a plan from beginning to end will help you be in control of your future and mentally prepare you to step out on the wing when you’ve done all you can inside the cabin.
But how many times do we leave without giving much thought to what, who and how we’re leaving? It may be tempting to get out fast and get on with our next exciting adventure. But, I ask you, is that the kind of attitude we want in the exit row? No, it’s really not! Consider it as baggage you can’t check at the gate. An ungrateful, self-serving attitude will follow you around like that flight attendant who knows you haven’t turned off your electronic device. It doesn’t fit in your life of excellence and it doesn’t store well in the overhead compartment. Let’s be honest, regret about how you leave your seat, an organization or people who invested in you and counted on you is the kind of thing that takes up valuable space in your conscience, which, metaphorically speaking, may as well be your life raft.
We often hear about those who make a grand entrance, but here’s how to make a memorable splash with your exit:
Ease the impact. Discuss your intentions with your supervisor, business partners or stakeholders way ahead of your actual departure date. Help find a replacement and offer more than two-weeks’ notice if you can. You may even assist with training your replacement to make for a smooth transition.
Express gratitude. Take your boss or partner to lunch, bring a cake or write a letter to the people you worked with and for, thanking them for the opportunity and all the valuable lessons you learned from the experience. Hollywood is great about honoring those in supporting roles. This is the perfect time to acknowledge mentors, teammates and interns.
Don’t make a mess on the way out. Avoid speaking badly about the people or the company, the city or the products. Don’t load up on pens and glue sticks from the supply cabinet or little bags of airline pretzels. Keep neat files for the next person, associate or team and prepare a brief report on the status of current projects.
Provide an exit interview. Offer to give a meaningful assessment of your time with the company. You may note what training sessions were particularly beneficial, give tips for recruiting or make suggestions to help new hires assimilate into the culture.
Stay connected. Recognize you’ve created valuable history and goodwill. You’ve put a lot of time and energy into the past. Protect that investment and maintain your relationships.
When alternative plans happen in life, like a new job or business opportunity, that require you to re-calibrate your current flight path to an amazing destination that recently appeared on your radar, it’s important to think through how you will exit your current situation. That experience you shared should not be tossed aside, like the plane’s emergency exit door.
Keeping the end in mind will help you execute a meaningful and successful exit row strategy and perhaps save you from being voted off a future island, if things were to come to that. FBN
By Bonnie Stevens, FBN
Bonnie Stevens is a public relations consultant. She can be reached at bonnie.stevens@gmail.com.
