Help me out here spags. A question about candor and honesty.

[AFK]

Okay, so as I've mentioned I'm leaving this job for another one.  My Director and I had a meeting right away so she could get my recommendations on how my responsibilities should be transitioned to the rest of the prevention team.  Namely we are focusing on the program I run where we train the teenagers to be good listeners and resources in their schools.  Anyway, she told me right up front to be candid and let her know if I thought there were any skill deficits with the remaining team to carry out my duties.  As I'm getting ready to leave, I'm beginning to think that perhaps I didn't properly examine that and I do have some real concerns about this program going forward with the personnel that is left.  But, at the same time, one of my hopes was that my leaving would give some kind of job security to the people left. 

So I'm wrestling with this, how honest and candid should I be in these last few days.  I believe very much in this program and it needs to continue to exist after I leave, but I do know that there is a skill set I'm taking with me that simply does not exist in the remaining staff, and I believe it is a skill set that is vital to the program continuing AND flourishing when times get better. 

Do I bite my tongue and let them figure it out? 

[LMNO]

If you don't tell anyone what skills are lacking, the program will crash and burn, and everyone will get fired.

If you do, some of your co-workers might get re-org'd, or let go; but the program has a better chance of survival.

In either case, there's a chance of someone getting fired, but if you speak up, the chances are lower, plus the odds of the program succeeding increases.  Go for the candor.

[AFK]

I do like them, and that is the other bit I wrestle with.  I'm essentially thinking of one person who will in some sense replace me.  She'll be the lead contact for the program but some of my responsibilities are being pieced out to the intern and another staff person.  The person who will be the contact I think will do fine in coordinating the nuts and bolts of the program.  But the one piece I don't think she really has is the program evaluation piece, which is the piece we desperately need to be firing on all cylinders to keep getting money to fund the program.  If we can't convincingly show our funders our program is meeting our goals and objectives, they're going to cut us off.  And it's not really her fault she doesn't have the skills, she was never really asked to use them like I was.  So I guess I gotta figure out a way to impress upon her the importance of really stepping up to the plate with the evaluation piece without making it sound like I'm saying I'm smarter than her or something.  

[AFK]

Although, this may all be moot anyway, as thanks to President Obama and the Democrats, the money stream that a lot of schools used to participate in the program has been eliminated.  I'm really starting to hate that SOB.  But that's another thread. 

[Richter]

Are they asking after specific, "who can / can't do what?"  or more general info?  
If it's just a matter of letting them know which skill sets to develop to fill the gaps, you've definitely got the tact to suggest it reasonably.  With your recomendations, they'd get some ideas.  Without them, they loose feedback on what makes the program work.  If they're looking for a condemnation of co workers or the remaining resources of the program as a whole, then they're being scum.  

[LMNO]

Talk to the manger/director/overlord and say, "What I really see as helping the team going forward is to ramp up the program evaluation piece, as it really is a mission critical element that needs to be bolstered to ensure success."

Or some such shit.  You don't have to say, "I'm happy for you, and Imma let you finish, but I had the best program evaluation piece.  Of.  All.  Time."  You just have to tell them what the team needs to work on.  That way, no one gets singled out.

[AFK]

Basically, it's at the point around here, I think, that if the people left can't run the program, they'll let the program die.  Mostly because they simply couldn't afford to hire a new person without us getting substantially more money to run the program.  But you guys are right, I just need to tactfully emphasize what needs to be in place for the program to continue and I need to do that with the remaining staff.  And I need to make sure the responsibilities are doled out in a precise and focused manner.  That they make clear delineations of who is doing what, because they still have other jobs to do and if it gets murky, the program will be in trouble.  

Thanks guys, I just needed to talk this one out loud with people who aren't here.  

[The Good Reverend Roger]

If you don't tell anyone what skills are lacking, the program will crash and burn, and everyone will get fired.

If you do, some of your co-workers might get re-org'd, or let go; but the program has a better chance of survival.

In either case, there's a chance of someone getting fired, but if you speak up, the chances are lower, plus the odds of the program succeeding increases.  Go for the candor.

This.  Normally I suggest arranging a Titanic-esque aftermath, with survivors bobbing in the cold, cold water, but this is a special case, given the nature of the work.

Be candid.

[Darth Cupcake]

I think LMNO and Richter have had the nail on the head.

You can absolutely help them understand, and use that "positivity speak" kind of stuff like "The program can benefit from growing X skills and fostering Z competencies" rather than "we're really fucking shit out of luck when it comes to X and Z and that's bad." I mean, I know it sounds corny, but phrasing really can make a hell of a ton of difference, especially when people are in a high-stress, "oh holy shit our jobs are hanging in the balance" type situation.

I hope your soon-to-be-ex-program continues to thrive without you, though. It's good works.

[Dysfunctional Cunt]

If you don't tell anyone what skills are lacking, the program will crash and burn, and everyone will get fired.

If you do, some of your co-workers might get re-org'd, or let go; but the program has a better chance of survival.

In either case, there's a chance of someone getting fired, but if you speak up, the chances are lower, plus the odds of the program succeeding increases.  Go for the candor.

This.  Normally I suggest arranging a Titanic-esque aftermath, with survivors bobbing in the cold, cold water, but this is a special case, given the nature of the work.

Be candid.

I agree.  This is not about the people running the program as much as the kids being helped by the program.  So honesty is important.

[Bebek Sincap Ratatosk]

I agree with the comments here... Honesty is the best opton... Honesty delivered tactfully and perhaps in a 'positive' fashion... but honesty is generally a good plan.

[P3nT4gR4m]

I find myself agreeing with the "honesty" approach and coming from someone who's policy is to lie, even when the truth will get you in less trouble, as a matter of principle, this is significant.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

What D-Cup said. Phrase it not in terms of lack, but about the benefits in the skills you think need to be developed.

[AFK]

Thanks guys.  Although I'm a bit frustrated with her.  I spent like 2 1/2 hours going over stuff with her, and she probably wasted like an hour of that time prosecuting the past.  I mean, if I had a nickel every time she said "this isn't a criticism of you, but", I could probably go buy everyone a coffee.  OR, questioning why I was doing things the way I was doing them, even though she seemingly only half understands what I did. 

Example:
her:  "Well, why can't you put that all on one survey?"
me:  "Umm, because each entry is a distinct individual?  You can't survey multiple individuals with one survey.  Each person has to have a unique survey."
her:  "Oh, but there must be a way."
me:  "Umm, no, there isn't."
Her:  "Really, but couldn't you..."



I don't know, fuck it, it's her show now I guess. 

[The Good Reverend Roger]

Thanks guys.  Although I'm a bit frustrated with her.  I spent like 2 1/2 hours going over stuff with her, and she probably wasted like an hour of that time prosecuting the past.  I mean, if I had a nickel every time she said "this isn't a criticism of you, but", I could probably go buy everyone a coffee. 

Then to hell with it.  She's going to sink the fucking thing anyway.