July 15, 2019

Resignation emails: Rectified

What if you could be truly honest in your last email to your co-workers?

2 min read

You dream about writing this email from the day you decide to quit. You think about all the things you will get off your chest. But when the time comes, all you get to be is courteous.

Here is a line-by-line breakdown of your resignation email, corrected for honesty:

Dear Friends,

“Hello Humans-I-Work-With”

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It’s time to say goodbye. These past two years have taught me so much about life!

“Sometimes even to live is an act of courage.” – Lucius Annaeus Seneca

I joined this organisation with a dream of making a difference in the world.

“Dreams are like rainbows… only idiots follow them.” Unknown

This is the place where that young, naïve person learnt so much about the world… in just two years.

“Life humbles you so deeply as you age. You realise how much nonsense you’ve wasted time on.” – Unknown

Related article: What would Shakespeare say?

I’ve been in awe of all of you, and your accomplishments!

“Even a stopped clock is right twice every day. After some years, it can boast of a long series of successes.” – Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach

And I will forever remember how you made me feel like one of you.

“We have seen better days.” – William Shakespeare

It is now time for me to move on to the next phase of my life.

“You don’t drown by falling in the water; you drown by staying there.” – Edwin Louis Cole

I’m still working with HR to figure out when my last day will be.

Tareekh pe tareekhtareekh pe tareekhtareekh pe tareekhtareekh pe tareekh milti gayi par insaaf nahi mila, my lord!” – from the film, Damini

Others on the team have already been asked to take over my work. I’m sure that they will step up to the responsibility.

“Aap ka kya hoga, Janaab-e-Ali? Aap ka kya hoga?” – from the film, Laawaris

I will take with me many memories of my time here.

Aaya hoon, kuchh toh leke jaoonga.– from the film, Andaz Apna Apna

Keep carrying on doing the work that you are.

“It could be that your purpose in life is to serve as a warning to others.” – Ashleigh Brilliant

See you soon.

“See you soon. Probably not.”

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ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Arjav Chakravarti-Image
Arjav Chakravarti

Arjav Chakravarti is a leadership coach and the founder of Svarya. In the past, Arjav has held a variety of leadership roles across sectors such as consulting, nonprofit management, technology, and research.

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