The most common reasons your stars won’t stray
In preparing to write Love ‘Em or Lose ‘Em: Getting Good People to Stay (Berrett-Koehler, October 1999), authors Beverly Kaye and Sharon Jordan-Evans spent two years asking over 3,000 people from diverse roles and industries to reflect upon a time when they stayed with one organization for a while—two years for some, 25 years for others—and then to write down the top three to five
reasons why.
The most common reasons are listed below in order of popularity and frequency. The encouraging news? They’re almost all within a manager’s influence.
- Career growth, learning, and development
- Exciting and challenging work
- Meaningful work—making a difference and a contribution
- Great people
- Being part of a team
- Good boss
- Recognition for work well done
- Fun on the job
- Autonomy—sense of control over my work
- Flexibility, including work hours and dress code
- Fair pay and competitive benefits
- Inspiring leadership
- Pride in the organization—its mission and product quality
- Great work environment
- Location
- Job security
- Family-friendly
- Cutting-edge technology
Note: Ninety percent of respondents listed at least one of the first three items among their own top three or four reasons.
For reprint permission or more information about Beverly Kaye, Sharon Jordan-Evans, and Love ‘Em or Lose ‘Em: Getting Good People to Stay, contact Career Systems International at (800) 577-6916 or HQ@csibka.com.
©1999 Beverly Kaye and Sharon Jordan-Evans. All rights reserved.
