There comes a time in every professional’s life where they realize it’s time to leave the rows of cubicles and incompetent management to go to a new company and work in one of their cubicles under their incompetent management team.

Usually, this is a positive step in life, and a great start to meeting your goal of middle management.

However, you still need to approach the topic with a great deal of consideration.

Remember, although you are leaving for a job that seemingly sucks less, your coworkers are all stuck at their current jobs. They should share your happiness with you, and will likely remain a valid resource for you in the future if you can somehow resist the overwhelming urge to jump up on your desk and scream about how you are done working with every moron in this company.

When cleaning out your desk, try to be respectful and give your coworkers things of yours you know they’ve always wanted. For example, if you know Bill in accounting has always liked your girlfriend, now would be a good time to offer her up to him. If she protests, accuse her of not being supportive of your career change and claim you aren’t sure if you want to be in such an oppressive relationship.

If your coworkers somehow don’t hate you and throw you a going away party, be sure to be gracious. They are not moving up the corporate ladder and have pooled together to give you an office party, be sure to be appreciative. But for the love of all that is holy, do not eat any of the food they offer. They all secretly resent you and want to poison your food with Ex Lax, simply because you are strong enough and smart enough to escape from the hell in which they find themselves stuck.

Finally, be sure to give all of your colleagues your contact information. Be sure to tell them why, that they can call you any time because you are now important, but don’t want to forget the little people. Be sure to remind them that you could be their boss someday. They will appreciate and remember your generosity.

Moving to a new job is always difficult, but you can make it easier depending on how you deal with things. Remember to be kind to the people you are leaving behind. If not, they might be flipping you off behind your back.