Minding the gap when a team member leaves

Minding the gap when a team member leaves

Posted on Jun 24, 2014 | No Comments

When team members leave, it almost always causes a temporary disruption to the team’s state of flow. But even when a new normal sets in, there can be gaps the team doesn’t always see or recognize — places where old team members were especially strong or unique qualities they seemed to have. If your team has seen more than a few transitions in the last year, it can be helpful to step back and consider what’s missing now. Ask yourself:

Which former team member(s) do we miss the most — and why?

List out all the things (big and small) that those former team members brought. It could be everything from technical skills to softer skills, like knowing how to elevate the team’s mood. Then talk about what the team can do to make up for those gaps: Are there other people on the team who can rise to the occasion? Are there qualities you’ll look for when recruiting? Or processes that could help smooth over the gaps?

Let us know what your favorite questions are by leaving a comment below, or by emailing us. And bookmark this page to see our list of questions grow.

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