If nothing else, try to smile.  Even a strained smile, if it’s genuine, works so much better than a frown here.  Whatever it is, find something great in your company to always smile about.  That day, that week.  Forever. As a startup founder, what’s the best way to announce your departure to the team and leave on good terms?

1.  Thank Them.  You tell your kids you love them.  Thank all the employees, in public, together with your co-founders, and tell them what an amazing product you’ve built together, and how proud you are.  If you’ve gotten to 30 employees … you should be proud.  You have something.

2.  Show Your Co-Founders Public Respect.  Make sure the kids know Mom and Dad aren’t mad at each other.  Make sure everyone knows whatever the reason you’re leaving, you still have total respect for your co-founders and current management.  Do your best here, even if it’s hard.

3.  Be Publicly Supportive, Not Too Much, Just Enough.  Don’t start tweeting 100 times a day how great the company is.  You’re leaving … that’s too much.  You’re not part of the full-time team anymore, for whatever reason.  But show support and respect.  Do a solid FB post every time the company does something great.  Make sure your LinkedIn lists the terrific, amazing things your team accomplished during your tenure.

4.  When People Reach Out to You, Be Sympathetic, but Never Critical.  Disaffected team members may reach out to you.  Don’t slam the company, just be sympathetic.  “I hear you … that’s tough.  What can you do to make things better?” or variants of that show you still care, but that it’s everyone’s job is to make the company great.  Don’t let your departure be a reason or excuse for key employees to lose their drive.

5.  Smile.  If nothing else, try to smile.  Even a strained smile, if it’s genuine, works so much better than a frown here.  Whatever it is, find something great in your company to always smile about.  That day, that week.  Forever.