My Approach to Honoring a Team Member’s Legacy
Losing a colleague is one of the most challenging moments an organization can face. It reminds us of the human connections that define our teams and the importance of honoring those who have made an impact. The tragic and senseless loss of Brian Thompson, a leader at UnitedHealthcare, is a profound example of how such moments touch not only families and colleagues but entire communities.
When a team member passes, it’s essential to recognize their contributions and ensure their legacy lives on. My approach focuses on:
1. Creating a Space to Honor Their Legacy: Establishing a memorial, like a “Wall of Legacy” or a gathering space, to reflect their role and contributions.
2. Acknowledging the Emotional Impact: Providing support for colleagues through gatherings, counseling resources, and open communication.
3. Celebrating Their Life and Service: Hosting events where people can share memories and find healing through collective remembrance.
4. Leaving a Lasting Legacy: Creating initiatives like awards, scholarships, or projects in their name to carry their values forward.
5. Connecting with the Family: Supporting loved ones through personal outreach, shared stories, and memorial involvement.
6. Carrying Their Values Forward: Living out the qualities they embodied—compassion, resilience, leadership—in our daily work.
Mourning is not about “closure” but transformation. By honoring those we’ve lost with care and purpose, we celebrate their lives and ensure their contributions continue to inspire us.
An accomplished information technology professional with a progressive record of leadership in healthcare and academic medicine.
3wEnjoy Carl. Be safe.