Let’s not "Get the band back together", let’s keep it from breaking up in the first place
I had a professor who said that there are three conditions which affect a musician’s decision to stay in a band: the music is meaningful to them, the pay is good, and they like their band mates. If the band has at least two of the three conditions, the musician will likely stay for the long haul. If only one condition (or none) is met, then the band will break up. These are the same aspects that affect an employee’s decision to stay. Retention of employees, especially your top performers, is vital to every company. If nothing else, it costs more to replace an employee, than it does to retain them.
It’s easy to focus on compensation and communicating the importance of the work. These are areas that HR professionals and management are used to dealing with. However, it is also neccessary to acknowledge the role your employees play in retention. It is up to every employee to help create an environment that is positive and enjoyable. There is a reason the Gallup Organization’s associate engagement surveys ask employees if they have a best friend at work. It’s that third condition; do you like the people you work with?
I feel that this is an often overlooked retention strategy and a great opportunity for employee empowerment. It is up to each employee to help create an environment that encourages friendship and, in the end, retention is everyone’s responsibility. Why not clearly communicate this responsibility to your employees and provide them with opportunities to take the initiative? Positive, everyday interactions between employees can become daily reinforcements on why your company is a great place to be.
