My daddy used to say, “It’s not what you’ve done, it’s what you’ve done for me lately.” That the aggregate did not matter because memories are short and centric to how you are benefitting the here and now. I see both sides of this perspective. That individuals should not be judged through a narrow prism of their most immediate accomplishment or failure, but they also can’t get too comfortable in what they “used” to be, or too dependent on what they’ve accomplished in the past.
I prefer the idea of “firing people up” instead of firing them, or even worse, demoralizing them until they become a shell of what they once were. If someone has been successful in one area, it behooves leadership (if possible) to ensure they can succeed somewhere else within the organization. I’ve witnessed too many good people, who have been loyal employees, leave organizations for all the wrong reasons.
The impact of employee turnover is more than just replacing a body. Employee turnover includes monetary and non-monetary costs such as lost productivity, time, role expertise, and employee morale. The high cost of turnover can be prevented by understanding employee trends and spotting signs before they negatively impact the workplace and overall organization. The hidden costs in things like sinking moral, lost momentum, and invaluable experience walking out the door, can be enormous.
At GlobalStar Consulting, we work hard to exhibit ongoing appreciation for our team members, and we don’t act impulsively—because doing so is a confidence killer. Instead, we seek diverse perspectives and provide well considered respectful feedback. We follow the longtime philosophy of the great Vince Lombardi who said, “Praise in public and criticize in private.” Also, don’t ever go too far with reprimanding thereby setting people up to fail, or worse, dispiriting team members. Disrespecting someone is the quickest way to lose their commitment, as well as the commitment of your entire team. Think before you speak. Realize that you may say something that never even hits your radar but deeply impacts another. Be smart and respectful in your words.
