HR leaders and CHROs today are faced with unprecedented challenges. How do you attract the right talent, keep your high performers motivated, and make tough decisions when it comes to underperformance? The answer lies in a balanced strategy that boosts the Willingness to Join (WTJ) and the Willingness to Stay (WTS), while smartly managing exits. Here’s an in-depth look at a holistic approach that can transform your talent management process.

Improving the Willingness to Join (WTJ) among ideal candidates

Recruitment is no longer just about filling vacancies, it’s about attracting ideal candidates who resonate with your company culture. To maximize WTJ and have more ideal candidates apply for roles at your organization, consider the following:

• Build a Genuine (and Magnetic) Employer Brand: High #WTJ among ideal candidates starts with creating an authentic, engaging workplace. When candidates see a workplace that prioritizes well-being, innovation, and growth, they’re more likely to be drawn to your organization.
• Targeted Recruitment: Actively pursue ideal candidates by honing in on the skills, experiences, and cultural attributes that make someone a perfect fit. For average candidates, adopt a selective approach, while confidently rejecting those who do not align with your core values. This selectivity ensures that your team remains strong and cohesive.

Enhancing the Willingness to Stay (WTS) to retain high-performers

Once you’ve recruited top talent, keeping them is the next challenge. High attrition can be detrimental, especially when it comes to your best performers. Here’s how to ensure your employees have a strong #WTS:

• Understand and Address the Root Causes: Regular, one-to-one conversations with high performers are crucial. These discussions should delve into what motivates them, what challenges they face, and why they might consider leaving. Understanding these factors allows you to craft personalized retention strategies.
• Tactical Conversations: For high performers, consider setting up tactical check-ins to gauge satisfaction and proactively address concerns. These conversations can reveal insights that might otherwise lead to attrition if left unaddressed.
• Leveraging the Strength & Weakness Skill Graph: For employees performing at an average level, it’s vital to identify both their strengths and areas for improvement. A comprehensive skill graph can guide targeted redeployment and redevelopment efforts. This strategic approach ensures that every employee is positioned where they can excel, thereby increasing overall performance and job satisfaction.

Releasing: Navigating Tough Decisions with Confidence

Once you’ve recruited top talent, keeping them is the next challenge. High attrition can be detrimental, especially when it comes to your best performers. Here’s how to ensure your employees have a strong #WTS:

• Clear Performance Metrics: Establish transparent criteria for performance evaluation. When underperformance is consistently identified, it’s easier to make the difficult decision to release employees who are not contributing effectively—even if they’re not actively seeking to leave.
• Culture Over Comfort: Retaining underperformers can dilute your company culture and hinder overall team performance. Being decisive—yet compassionate—in your approach can drive better results in the long run. High performance should always be the benchmark.

By enhancing the Willingness to Join and the Willingness to Stay, you set the stage for a high-performing, agile workforce. For CHROs and top HR leaders, this approach not only optimizes your talent acquisition and management process but also reinforces a culture of excellence.

About Manu Khetan

Manu, Founder and CEO of Rolling Arrays, a global HR technology leader, brings two decades of expertise to redefine HR practices. Passionate about pioneering HR automation and nurturing talent, Manu advocates for a customer-first and employee-first approach, prioritizing value creation. Beyond the boardroom, he is a dedicated family man, a skilled pianist, and an advocate for empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs. Join Manu on the transformative journey where HR emerges as a dynamic force for positive change in the business world.