FIVE GREAT WAYS TO KEEP YOUR SUPERSTARS

Recently I read an article by Marshal Goldsmith, Ph.D. that is worth sharing. Marshall Goldsmith’s reputation as a highly respected “New Thought Leader” is richly deserved.

His five points were directed at Keeping Top Talent. The very same points could be suggested as great ways of also attracting top talent, developing top talent and building great family cohesiveness and happy children.

1. 1. Always prepare for and approach any discussion with the same care and attention that you give to someone who has just experienced a tremendous accomplishment, or your child who just experienced a heartbreak. Give them your total attention, listen closely and show deep respect for them.
2. Show appreciation for their excellent performance, and give them some project or task that promotes their self-improvement. Positive people and top performers, even young children, want and need to grow. Help them identify opportunities and make sure they have the resources to succeed.
3. Be specific about the value these people bring to you and your organization and the appreciation you personally feel about their contributions.
4. Be completely honest about future opportunities for advancement and development within the firm. Explore the top goals your best people have for their future within your company. Don’t ever over-promise what is possible for you to deliver and do everything you can to support their goals
5. It has been stated often, people don’t leave their company, they leave their leader. You have the greatest ability within your organization to keep these top performers. Keep them challenged, give them regular feedback and express appreciation for them. And remember how well you follow this suggestion at home will have a lot to do with how happy and self-confident your children and partner view themselves.

Aubrey Daniels, Ph.D., internationally known organizational development consultant repeats his number one rule frequently: if we don’t continually reinforce the positive behavior of others, that exceptional behavior will disappear.

You might give some thought as to your efforts to give positive feedback, challenge and reward those people, young and old, most important to you.