Two clear messages from people I respect yesterday.
- From a person making sure they keep their best people – They have instituted a process called Stay Interviews where leaders interview people to ask them the simple questions How is your job going? and What are the things that would make you stay here for 5 years? Leaders talk with people from areas that are not underneath them and their goal is to listen. The next step is to put all of the information together and decide What is next? based on what they hear.
- From someone needing to recruit to fuel growth of his company – Made the statement that All of the best people are now back working – People can now move if they want to. Retention of talent has to be at the top of the list. This is from a high achiever who looks for high achievers.
Myth – Developing great leaders, engaged workforces, and keeping your best people costs money.
Truth – Talking with people, listening to what is on their mind, sharing what you are thinking/feeling, and following up on action plans is essentially free. What costs money is hiring the Director of Talent Management to act as a policeman for you/your organization.
Make Stay Interviews a habit (ie. always ask people How they are doing?/What they need?) and retention will happen.