After the great resignation and quiet quitting, organizations are scrambling to retain top talent. They’re trying everything from increasing salaries and expanding perks to offering greater flexibility. Yet many companies are still losing the very people they can least afford to lose: their highest performers.

This is not primarily a compensation problem. It is a development problem.

Research consistently shows that high achievers are not leaving because of pay alone. They are leaving because they feel overlooked, underdeveloped, and taken for granted. Often, the reward for their good work is…more work.

Performance management systems are a standard in every large organization, where your performance is measured against expectations. Those who fall below expectations are quickly identified and supported with performance improvement plans, targeted training, regular feedback, milestones they need to achieve, and close managerial attention.

But what happens to employees who score at the top? Those who routinely exceed expectations?

They are often told, “Great job. Keep doing what you’re doing,” and are........

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