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Before workers get lured away, offer guidance to them and managers on having stay conversations.
Tanya sat down with her manager for their weekly one-on-one chat. "I have some news you aren't going to like," she said to Marco. "I'm giving my twoweek notice. I've accepted another opportunity."
Marco looked at Tanya with wide eyes and responded, "I am so surprised by this news. I thought you were really enjoying your work."
Tanya sighed. "Well, I do enjoy most of what I do. But it's been two years, and I am doing pretty much the same thing I did when I started," she explained. "I've become bored-I'm not excited to start the week, and I look way too forward to Fridays. Plus, I've been taking classes to expand my skill set and don't feel that new knowledge is valued. This other opportunity is much more motivating."
Fighting a groan, Marco asked, "Why didn't you tell me all that? We could have figured out new projects. This company is growing, and there are so many cool programs that need our support. I assumed you liked being good at what you did and wanted to keep doing it."
"I wish you had asked," she responded. "And I wish I had felt comfortable telling you how I felt. I just didn't realize how disengaged I was until the recruiter called me."
Does that scenario sound familiar? Have you been Tanya, uncertain how to ask for what you want out of work? Or have you been Marco, making assumptions about your team members' motivations and engagement? Or maybe you've been on both sides of the conversation.
Should I stay or should I go?
The Great Resignation is really the Great Reflection. Workers across industries are examining their relationship with their jobs, evaluating how effectively their employers are meeting their professional and personal needs. If there's a decent match, many stay. If there's a gap, it's a job seeker's market with enticing opportunities elsewhere.
English rock band The Clash described the reflection in its 1981 song lyrics: "This indecision's buggin' me. If you don't want me, set me free. Exactly who am I supposed to be?" Employees are determining in their own ways, using their own set of criteria,...