My ex-GM, my ex-Director, still in my corner.
People leave. Teams change. Roles evolve. It’s the circle of work life - less Lion King soundtrack, more Teams handovers and LinkedIn updates.
And let’s be honest: it always feels personal.
If you’re the one quitting, you worry you’re letting someone down. If you’re the one being left, you wonder what you did wrong. But here’s the thing: most of the time, it’s not that deep. It’s not about betrayal or failure. It’s just timing, fit, and the fact that people’s lives move at different speeds.
What is deep is how we handle it. Because exits come in two flavours: etiquette or drama.
Exit etiquette is when you hand over cleanly, thank each other properly, maybe even have a farewell coffee that isn’t awkward.
Exit drama is when you ghost a boss, leave someone drowning in unfinished work, or sulk your way through the notice period.
Same goes for leaders: exit etiquette is when you treat the leaver with dignity, wish them well, and remind the team they’ll always be part of the story. Exit drama is when you freeze them out, gossip, or make them feel guilty for wanting more.
An exit can be a detour, not a dead end.
Of course, there are exceptions. If there’s harassment, a breach of ethics, or behaviour that crosses moral lines, then no, you absolutely don’t owe anyone niceties (been there, done that). But in most other cases? Civility costs less than drama.
I’ve lived both sides. I’ve quit jobs and kept friendships. I’ve had team members leave and still message me years later - those pings make me smile every time. And yes, I’ve also taken resignations too personally, wondering if it was a reflection of me. But here’s the truth I’ve had to learn: people leaving doesn’t mean you failed. It just means this chapter of them and this chapter of you no longer match.
And that’s okay. Because one day, you might still cross paths again. Dubai is tiny. The world is tinier. That intern you managed could be holding a client’s budget in three years. That boss you left might be the one recommending you for your dream project. Bridges you keep intact have a funny way of becoming shortcuts later.
So, no matter which side you’re on, here’s my two piece: leave well. Be civil. Be kind. Even if it stings. Especially if it stings.
Because you don’t have to stay forever to have mattered.
M.
xx
Manuja
Not for everyone. Never was.
