"...the last impression is the first recalled."

It's amazing to me how much time we spend preparing ourselves to join an organization and how little thought we give to leaving one. For me the first impression is lasting but the last impression is the first recalled. Many forget how important an exit can be. Our reputation is built on the accumulation of our actions over time. Like a GPA, bad choices carry weight, negatively effecting our reputation long after we’ve grown and learned from them. 

We need only read a resume to see how important choices are in career progression. A resume is like a roadmap through our professional journey leading the reader step by step to our current location. It tells the story of where we’ve been, choices we’ve made, and potentially relationships we’ve sustained or ended along the way. Ever want to leave a step out?  If so, it’s most likely due to the circumstances under which you left.

That being said, here are some things to consider when planning a career move.  Your clients come first. If you always remember this you will inevitably prevail. Decide how they will best be served and plan accordingly, even if that means recommending a stylist at your previous salon to serve them. Include your current employer in your plan, Keep them informed, and don’t drag it out. Communication is the key to success. Be honest and keep your intentions clear to everyone in the organization so there is little doubt or room for gossip.

Every situation is different and there will be matters out of our control, however we always have the ability to make better choices. We cannot control what others think of us; we can only modify our behavior and hope they respond positively to it. You may find yourself in a situation that has already resulted in behavior you regret or wish you could change but it’s never to late to salvage a professional relationship or at least leave it on a note you can live with.

Look, things happen, aspirations change or we simply evolve and want more than what the current environment can provide. Regardless of the reason, we must remember to be professional. It may seem like you should plan and scheme or feel like you have to manipulate the situation but if that is true, once you’ve gone, I urge you to consider what led you to your ultimate decision and learn from your mistakes. It is the nature of career progression and development that we leave one organization for another so prepare for it and become good at it. Your reputation depends on it.