Love 'Em or Lose 'Em, 4th Edition

IntroductionA.J.’s Exit

I quit.I’m giving you my notice.I found another opportunity.I’ve accepted another offer.Can we talk?

If any of the above strikes fear in your heart or makes your stomach sink, you are not alone. Anyone managing or supervising others, whether in a skyscraper, a coffee shop, or a volunteer group, reacts with dismay to statements like these—especially when the people saying them are critical to your team.

By “critical,” we don’t mean just your top performers or your “high-potentials.” We mean the “solid citizens,” too—those who show up day after day to reliably do their work. They are necessary to the success of your unit and your peace of mind. They are the steady, dependable employees whom you simply cannot afford to lose. ...