At one time or another, all of us have had an employee leave and had to face the challenges of replacing that person. It is never convenient and it is always a pain.

This week, my longtime assistant Cindy Kwan left to go back to graduate school and I could not help but think back to when I was young and wanted to go to work somewhere else so I could improve my situation.

Actually, although I was disappointed that Cindy left, I am happy for her and in a way I am happy for myself because it means I have helped another person to grow and expand.

I think back now about the different people that I know and that I have assisted over the years. Many of them are quite successful — and a number of them have helped me from time to time. In fact, it is because of the people who have helped me over the years that I am the person I am today.

Each time you help a person grow you build up good karma for yourself. For businesses that watch a valued employee move on to bigger and better things, it's the same kind of positive exchange.

In the end, I think it is the responsibility of older people to help younger people and if you have that attitude, then there is a good chance that your business, whatever it may be, or your department, whatever it is, will grow and expand.