“The higher you are in the hierarchy, the more planning a departure requires”: how to leave on a positive note with the company you’re leaving – Interview with Anne-Laure Pams, Director of Leadership Advisory at Grant Alexander, for Les Echos
06.01.2026
Resignation, mutual termination, dismissal… Whatever the reason for the farewell, anyone who leaves a company has every interest in taking care over their final moments there — and in doing so, safeguarding their reputation.
When he announced his departure to his direct manager, Julien immediately sensed a chill. “I had been headhunted by a competitor with a better position, more responsibility and a higher salary… Yet my manager took it personally. At first, things were tense,” he recalls. Despite this, Julien threw himself straight back into work, determined to wrap up his projects as thoroughly as possible before leaving. “I only slowed down in the very last few days! In the end, I earned back the respect of senior management by showing that I still took my role and the company seriously, even though I was leaving.”
Julien made the right call. By his own admission, he has since crossed paths many times with former colleagues and managers, and he has no regrets about handling his departure carefully. “It’s definitely a smart strategy, especially if you know you’ll remain in the same industry,” confirms Nicolas Leroy, Recruitment Director at the Fiducial Group. “This moment should never be overlooked — otherwise you risk undoing years of successful collaboration for the sake of just a few weeks.” After all, professional sectors are often small worlds. A former colleague could become your future manager. You might even find yourself returning to the same company one day — who knows? With that in mind, here are five tips for leaving on good terms.
Announce your departure properly
This first step is crucial. “There’s no question about it — you need to prepare the announcement of your departure in order to avoid corridor gossip,” stresses Thomas Simon, a lecturer and researcher in management sciences at Montpellier Business School. Indeed, this is the worst-case scenario: rumors and office talk leaking the news before you’ve had the chance to formally inform your management. The priority is to speak to your direct manager first, then HR — ideally before telling colleagues, unless you have complete confidence in their discretion.
This becomes even more important as you move up the ranks. “The higher you are in the hierarchy, the more a departure requires organization and confidentiality. A communication timeline and agreed messaging can be developed jointly by the employee, senior management and HR. Some companies may also have confidentiality clauses or ask that the announcement be delayed until a replacement has been identified,” explains Anne-Laure Pams, Director of Leadership Development at HR consulting firm Grant Alexander. The goal is twofold: on the one hand, to avoid rumors and gossip about the individual, and on the other, to respect the company’s need to prepare for what comes next.
Remain professional until the very end
The decision to leave has been made. Some may be tempted to ease off, gradually disengaging during their final weeks… “If there’s one thing you should never compromise on, it’s your professional attitude. Disengaging — especially in a management or executive role — puts your reputation at risk and can cause lasting damage to your image,” warns Anne-Laure Pams.