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Comment on Ask HN: A colleague is leaving. How to investigate what went wrong?parent

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I never thought of this. Thank you.

Also, while asking people that sort of question, ask yourself whether improving the situation is within your reach, whatever is the cause? If you think you could -- do you think people you are interviewing, also believe you can?

I wouldn't tell anything to a person who has no power or no incentive to improve things, and sadly, this covers 100% of people one usually has exit interviews with. So I always declined them, politely.

You wouldn't believe how much respect and good contacts this attitude earned me over the years.

I don’t really know you or this situation... but there’s a chance that you’re part of the problem. And they won’t tell you that.

I think one thing to reflect on is why you didn’t know this about the pointlessness of exit interviews and the danger of “real talk.” Don’t worry though - I didn’t for a while either. Experience will get you there.

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