When announcing senior-level departures, various audiences must be considered.

Perhaps nothing invites speculation about an organization - both within and without - quite like the departure of a senior executive. Why is this individual leaving? Is the business or organization in trouble? Do layoffs loom?

This always proves a popular topic for the media - as seen in the recent coverage of the resignation of Merrill Lynch CEO Stanley O'Neal, after the brokerage recorded a $2.24 billion quarterly ...