Here’s a situation for you: One of your great employees received an offer from another company – a job that is a better fit for the employee. The employee is sad to leave you but is very excited about the new opportunity. He gives you two weeks notice.

You have just been confronted with an opportunity. Most organizations will complain and lament the loss, feeling betrayed. Some actually usher the employee out on the spot. But great organizations applaud the employee for his good fortune and use the event to develop ways to be better – they hunt for opportunities.

So back to our situation: here is one potential action to take and the opportunities that could result. The point is to develop a positive outlook and a commitment to finding opportunities for success in each event – whether the event initially appears to be favorable or unfavorable.

Action:
o Review the organization for a suitable replacement, focusing on fit and value creation.
Expanded value opportunities:
o Have remaining employees suggest ways to handle departing employee’s work without replacing the employee.
o Use the occasion to develop a talent and skill summary for each role, to improve the ability to hire the right employee based on performance and fit.
o Have remaining employees review their networks to identify viable candidates who exhibit the required talents and skills.
o Use the occasion to develop a hiring section of the company website, and give current employees the requirement to make it effective.
o Reassess all employees to determine best fit. Use the employee’s departure as a time to realign employees to better roles.

A departure of a good employee creates many opportunities. So do many of the things that happen in your business day. Get good at looking for ways to add greater value – at becoming opportunity hunters. To learn see my Hunt for Opportunities link; it includes articles, the new Hunt for Opportunities Success Manual, the opportunity card and idea center. Today, you need every employee to constantly hunt for, find and implement opportunities.