Back to the money stuff. Well, one could argue that most of business is about the money stuff, but asking about the money often gets you to something more valuable. This question does that. Leaders ask this question to investigate, challenge, and assign responsibility. They use it to investigate the forgotten areas within their control but not in their view, to challenge people to think for themselves, and to let people know that they are expected to engage their brains on the job. Look at it this way. Pretend you don’t do the grocery shopping in your household. In fact, you very seldom even go into a grocery store. The balance in your checking account is running lower than usual, and you notice that the checks made out to the grocery store represent a significant percentage of your monthly expenditures. So you sit down and develop a strategy to lower your grocery cost and present your plan to the family shopper for implementation. If you had to guess, how’s that going to work for you?

Okay, try this approach. You catch the shopper as you walk through the kitchen and say, “You’re spending way too much at the grocery store. I expect to see smaller checks in the future.” And as you walk out of the room you add, “By the way don’t let the quality of our meals suffer.” Is that better?

Please tell me you didn’t think that either of these approaches would work well. Please tell me that, as you read the last two paragraphs, you were shaking your head and grinning. Unfortunately, we act that way at home way too often. This behavior (as expressed about grocery shopping, punishment for children, and other areas too numerous to mention) has far-reaching implications—ask any-one you know who’s gone through a divorce. Don’t kid yourself. If you do it at home, you do it at work.

The problem with this behavior (in case you’re not certain) is presuming that you know better than the person closest to the issue does. When you ask about saving the company money, you send a message that you expect and value your employees’ expertise because they’re the ones who do the work, day in and day out. Of course, the reasoning goes, they have ideas and I want—no, need—to hear them. The more you ask this question, the better the answers you get will be.

Audience: associates in the immediate department or larger group
Message: You have made a valuable contribution; best wishes in your retirement.
Tone: informal
Timing: 2-3 minutes

Samuel Johnson wryly observed: “Don’t think of retiring from the world until the world will be sorry that you retire. I hate a fellow whom pride or cowardice or laziness drive into a corner, and who does nothing when he is there but sit and growl. Let him come out as I do, and bark.”

Well, the world—at least ours here at (company)—is sorry to see (name) retire. And not that he’s been barking. But rather that he’s been leading the pack.

(Name), we’re going to miss that leadership. You’ve been vocal about policies that needed to be changed; management has changed them. You’ve been vocal about quality manufacturing; we’ve set up new quality-control procedures. You’ve been vocal about teamwork rather than turf divisions; we’re still working on that. But I think we’ve come a long way.

Because you have “been there,” been in the battle wholeheartedly, the demands of the job have been do-able and our motivation has been replenished with your enthusiasm,… your insight,… and your dedication.

That’s not to say, of course, that we have always agreed. We haven’t. But always, (name) has stood up for what he thought was right and best for all concerned, often in the face of heavy opposition. We agonized over delays and decisions and deadlines. We fought budget defeat, equipment deficiencies, and computer downtime. He has worked hard and long to bridge whatever gap there happened to be. There were even times we considered other careers—both of us. But the work was enjoyable because, ultimately, we were always on the same side—quality service to our customers.

I could go on to compliment (name)’s competence and his results. But then those have been obvious to everyone who has had opportunity to work with him. He has handled his work with admirable efficiency and expertise. As a result, we can say to our colleagues in the industry that our company is one to model.

Let me just sum up by saying, we as a company and as individuals will feel a great loss from your absence, (name). You command our attention and our respect.

We understand that you plan to remain in this area and continue your volunteer work with (project or organization). It’s good that you have a plan.

Let me just add a few other suggestions for these golden years: Continue to sound off in public about what our community and world needs to change. Influence our young people to apply themselves. Exercise every day. And spend your children’s inheritance!

Our best as you do so. Your rest and relaxation is well deserved.