I regret to inform you
- Harry T. Jones
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
Recently I opened a letter to find an introduction that read: “I regret to inform you…”
It was a letter of rejection.
My application to be a mentor with a group, whose mission I deeply respected, had been denied.
My experience and heart for service seemed to be a perfect fit.
But the answer was no.
Honestly, it was a little flooring.
Rejection isn’t something I face often—especially as a founder, a CEO, someone used to making decisions and setting direction. But there it was: a hard “no” that couldn’t be negotiated or reframed.
It was a moment that still stings, but also shapes the work we do at Cultivating Impact today.
Looking back, I realize how rare it is for leaders to receive honest, direct feedback—let alone outright rejection.
Power and position can insulate us from the hard news we most need to hear.
Yet, as I sat with that letter, I found myself galvanized.
The “no” became a reminder that growth often comes not always from our victories, but also from the doors that close and the lessons they teach.
“I regret to inform you…” can be a metaphor—a way to frame the uncomfortable truths and wake-up calls that every leader eventually encounters.
Most of us won’t get a physical letter in the mail or an email with those exact words.
Instead, these “letters” show up as moments in life and business when reality interrupts our plans—often in ways we didn’t see coming, even though others around us might have.
Sometimes, the signs were there all along, but no one voiced them—or we weren’t ready to hear them. These moments can include:
A trusted team member resigns unexpectedly, though others sensed their frustration.
A health crisis forces a change in direction, after months of ignored warning signs.
A business partner or family member finally says what no one else would—something others may have noticed but never shared.
The market shifts, and what once worked no longer does, even though the writing was on the wall.
A key issue festers because those around us didn’t feel empowered to speak up, or we didn’t have the ears to listen.
These are the metaphorical “letters” that say, in one way or another, “I regret to inform you… things aren’t going as you hoped.”
They’re not about shame or failure, but about the honest feedback and tough love that help us grow, adapt, and ultimately finish well.
Over the next seven posts, I want to invite you into a series of “I regret to inform you” letters—each one addressing a hard truth I’ve seen leaders face in succession planning. These aren’t just cautionary tales; they’re invitations to reflect, adapt, and finish well.
Because sometimes, the most powerful spark for transformation comes in the form of a rejection letter—even if it’s only metaphorical.
BTW, If you’re ready to turn life’s hard news into a new chapter of growth, we have two spots available in our Finishing Well Breakthrough Groups.
Reach out today to claim your place and take the next step toward finishing well.
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