The Smartest Steps to Take if You Think Your Boss Is Quitting

The Smartest Steps to Take if You Think Your Boss Is QuittingThe Smartest Steps to Take if You Think Your Boss Is QuittingWhen it comes to the day-to-day specifics of your work life, there is perhaps no greater influence than your boss. But lately, hes been coming in well-dressed and leaving for long lunches. Or, maybe shes been a little distant. Could your boss be planning an exit? And if she quits, what will happen to you?There are definite telltale signs when someone is looking for a job, says workplace consultant Amy Cooper Hakim, PhD, founder of The Cooper Strategic Group, Inc. Theyre the same as when colleagues are looking for a job. Perhaps theyre spending mora time behind closed doors. They come to the office dressed appropriately for an interview and are taking a few more long lunches than usual. Perhaps theyre jumpy when someone comes into the office unexpectedly and try to hide their computer screen because theyre looking at job listings. Those are all some of the warning signs, she says.Beyond those signs, some behaviors of people who have decided to move on can actually affect you and your job performance, says Stacy Lindenberg, owner of Talent Seed Consulting. Your supervisor may be less available for meetings or less invested in the projects theyre overseeing. That can have an impact on how you do your job, she says.Things that they normally would do are pushed off. If theyre not available when they need you, thats a problem, she says. In addition, once your supervisor does leave, it can mean a big transition for you as you help hold down the fort while a replacement is found, then adapt to the work style of a new manager, she says.If you suspect that your boss is getting ready to quit, there are some things you can do to both prep for the transition and safeguard your standing to the best of your ability.1. Act AppropriatelyYour next steps depend on whether you know for certain that your supervisor is leaving, and what kind of relationship you h ave with them, Lindenberg says. You dont want to be seen as taking advantage of the situation- especially if youre wrong about whether your boss is actually leaving. If you have the kind of relationship with your supervisor where they would share their plans, you might even strategize with them about next steps.So, think about the relationships you have and keep those in mind, she says. You dont want to lose those relationships because you acted on a hunch, she says.Related What to Do When Your Boss Doesnt Like You Anymore2. Think About Your OptionsNext, look at the landscape and think about what your options are, says leadership expert Susan Fowler, author of Why Motivating People Doesnt Workand What Does The New Science of Leading, Energizing, and Engaging. There is the potential for great change ahead. Think about what you want to happen next, she says. Are you ready to move up? Are you still motivated to be with the company? Is there an opportunity for you ahead? These are some of the questions you should be asking yourself, she says. Once you have a vision for your next goal, you can begin to formulate a plan.3. Start Documenting Your ContributionsNow is a good time for you to begin to document your achievements and accomplishments, if you havent already, Hakim says. Focus on the positive impact youve made and the skills youve developed. Make sure your resume is updated, as well as your LinkedIn profile, so that if youre interested in applying for a promotion at this company or finding another job, youve got your own documentation in order.Related Someone Important Just Quit- Heres What to Do in This Order4. Schedule a abfertigungIf you have a good relationship with your supervisor, Fowler suggests having a check-in meeting to review your performance. Even if its not time for your performance review, its appropriate to schedule time to review your strengths, weaknesses, and goals. This may also give your supervisor an opportunity to share their plans, she says. At the very least, its an opportunity to refresh your supervisor on your contributions and keep you front-of-mind in case theyre in a position to recommend you as a replacement.5. Do Relationship UpkeepEven if you have a great relationship with your departing supervisor, its time to start reaching out to others in the company and strengthening those relationships, Hakim says. Of course, relationship building should always be a priority, but now is a good time to check in with some of your colleagues and contacts. Depending on what happens after your supervisor leaves, you may need to call on those relationships to champion your next move or advise you about what to do next, she says.Related 10 Habits of Well-Liked BossesThis article was originally published on Fast Company. It has been republished here with permission.