I have been in the pressure-cooker recently for some leadership decisions with a client organization. One of their affiliates wants to leave and go to an organization that can provide them with the services, relationships and connections that they need. They failed to provide those things, so it is rational and logical to expect the affiliate to move to an organization which says it can. Now whether or not they actually can deliver those values, remains to be seen.
What I discovered from this recent event is, that my client simply does not believe that 1. they have failed to deliver these values, 2. they don't believe this second organization will be any better, and 3. they are angry with me for not giving them a chance “to talk the affiliates into staying.” Folks, when you have to talk people into staying with your organization, church or social network, you have already lost them.
Let me say this more brutally, if you provide them with the value they need, they will not look elsewhere. There simply is no reason to look elsewhere when I have what I need. Now of course there is some generalization here, but overall the principle is true. So instead of asking “how could we have provided what they needed?” or “if we could do it over again (because you are everyday) what would/could we do better to deliver the value that people need?” they start laying blame, yelling, being angry at the messenger. Seriously poor responses, which only go to blatantly show that yes, they do NOT deliver value for their dollar/investment/affiliates.
If you want to keep your talent, you have to provide them real and actual reasons to stay with you. Said another way, the onus is on the organization/group/club/church to be such an organization, that people WANT to work with you. Provide real value!
