By the time someone is leaving, the real conversation is already over.
The better question is not, Why did they leave?
It’s, Why were they staying silent before they left?
High-performing teams don’t usually break because of one bad decision.
They break because leaders miss the signals: disengagement, frustration, lack of challenge, lost trust.
Stay interviews are not a soft HR exercise.
They are a leadership discipline.
If you want retention, don’t wait for departures.
Start having the conversations that reveal what people actually need to stay.
What’s one question every leader should ask their top people before it’s too late?
Originally published 12 May 2026 on LinkedIn. Follow Eric Stijnman on LinkedIn for more sales coaching and leadership insights
