Gotta Change...top talent is leaving

I spoke to a few Assistant Store Managers (ASMs) today.  3 of them have recently left their company while the other one was thinking about it.  I had worked with each of these ASMs back in the day and they were all "high flyers" each one seemingly on the fast track to success within their company while also helping the company achieve success.  But something had changed in them.

What didn't change is how they were being lead - and it became a problem.

One of the main jobs that a leader has is to identify and develop talent.  To do this a leader must also create a culture that allows for success to happen.  This success is defined differently by each individual and the leader must have a relationship with the individuals that are in their "sphere of influence" in order to know how to create that success culture each associate needs.

This is something we all can be better at.

We have to change...

or

Top talent will leave.

We as leaders cannot concentrate on our own success.  In fact, our success is pretty much dependent on the success of others so it is imperative for us to nurture the environment that each individual has to have to grow.

This ain't easy!

Not by a long shot

But it is the only way for the total operation to be as successful as it can be and we need to change our own thought processes to make it happen.

The old "command and control" system doesn't work well anymore.  We can't just bark orders and expect the team to perform at a high level over a long period of time.  Barking can work in the short term but people will start leaving in the long term.

Exactly what we are seeing with these ASMs.

It is so disappointing to see them leave but I understand it.  We haven't done what we needed to do to keep them engaged.  We haven't capitalized on their desire to do great work...their own personal motivation.  Instead we de-motivated them to the point where they decided things looked better elsewhere.  And they all sounded very happy with their decisions.

Can the one that hasn't made the decision to leave yet be saved?  I think so but leadership has to be very transparent - naked - in their conversation and also be ready to (and wanting to) hear some very candid comments.  And then be willing to change how some things are done.

I write all this to say that I need to take a look at myself and make sure I am doing all I can to create that environment of success that allows us to keep my top talent and allows that top talent to grow to their full potential.  I have an inkling I can do better...as long as I remember that I...

Gotta Change