Making a well judged and timely resignation

As the recent high-profile resignations of Maria Miller MP and Lord Myners in the UK show, there are complex factors at play in stepping down for the right reasons at the right time. From a legal point of view, there are often matters of contract to consider, but resigning is always much more than a transaction, and lawyers would do well to consider the wider issues when advising clients or considering their own career decisions.

The worst scenario of all is to hang on till the bitter end - well beyond the time when everyone else thinks it's time for you to move on. The fixed tenure of many executive roles for partners in law firms in this context has much to commend it. But, typically, one term is never enough, and many partners make the mistake of wanting to continue in a role for the status or power it gives, rather than considering what's best for the firm or the team, or having the courage to step away to do something different.

Resigning at the top of your game, when you are highly regarded by colleagues, team members and clients, brings not only a sense of great personal satisfaction but also positively enhances your personal reputation. Even if you hold your hand up to a mistake, or take responsibility for a team failure by resigning, there is likely to be a positive effect on your reputation and career. Alternatively, not resigning when others believe it is either the right thing to do, or the right time to go, can taint your reputation and affect your career for an extremely long time.

Resigning on principle is perhaps the noblest example of integrity in action. Robin Cook received a standing ovation in the House of Commons when he announced his resignation as the leader of the House of Commons over the Iraq invasion in 2003. For a politician, it was a symbolic decision and came to define his reputation.

By contrast, Miller's achievements as a minister, including the Leveson inquiry into the press and the introduction of same-sex marriage, will be subsumed by the memory of her clinging onto office, only to resign just before prime minister's question time. Whether or not it is true or fair, many will believe that she was sacked and that she deserved it.

Once the decision to resign has been taken, writing the resignation letter is another opportunity to show character. Acknowledging pride in the team's achievements, describing the privilege of leadership, and communicating goodwill (rather than bitterness or recriminations) pays dividends, even in the most private of partings.

Jesse Jackson Jr resigned in tears from the US Congress, openly admitting his mistakes and writing in his resignation letter: "None of us is immune from our share of shortcoming or human frailties, and I pray that I will be remembered for what I did right. It has been a profound honor to serve."

By contrast, Greg Smith, the former Goldman Sachs executive director, chose to resign in a controversial style by writing a vitriolic piece in the New York Times entitled 'Why I am leaving Goldman Sachs', in which he accused his firm of ripping off its clients. Whilst he achieved overnight fame, questions will always linger about his motivation and his loyalty to colleagues or any future employer.

Whether a resignation is delivered by letter, email or on YouTube, the best approach is to consider it carefully, to communicate with dignity, honour and professionalism, and to do it no later than the very moment that it is clearly the right thing to do.