In a recent Gallup survey, more than half of the employees who had resigned indicated that no one, not even their manager, asked them in the three months prior to their departure whether they were satisfied with their job, or how they saw their future in the company. And 52% underlined that their manager or their organization could have definitely done something to get them to change their mind. A preposterous number at a time when organizations face the “Great Resignation”.

Do not wait for your staff to hand in their resignation to hold real conversations on their aspirations! This article invites you to regularly address five essential questions with them:

- How would you like to develop within this organization?

- What is the meaning of your work in your view?

- How can I help you excel in your job?

- In your opinion, what could the company do better?

- Does your job enable you to make full use of your talents on a daily basis? A checklist to keep in mind to minimize the risk of seeing your best personnel leave.

Source: 5 Questions Every Manager Needs to Ask Their Direct Reports, Susan Peppercorn, HarvardBusiness Review, January 2022.