The “Great Resignation” Isn’t About You; It’s About the Future of Work

CultureEducation

Aug 2

Jeffrey Anderson pondered the reasons behind “The Great Resignation” on LinkedIn:

I’ve been reading about the “Great Resignation” to understand what is really behind it. Maybe it’s akin to what happens when a dating relationship goes long distance? Once you lose the physical connection, it’s the rare couple who can survive the distance. The typical outcomes are arguments, breakups, and infidelity… What do you think? #greatresignation

There was a lot of LinkedIn love for his “nasty breakup” analogy.

I think it’s the wrong way to look at it.

Folks aren't resigning; they're moving on to a better place. They aren't frustrated; they're excited. It's not about you; it's about them.

The pandemic has altered how we work forever. New jobs with new flexibility, new tools, and new styles have emerged. But, unfortunately, many leaders are slow to embrace that change, and employees aren't waiting around.

If you want to stop attrition, embrace the future of work, which is now. Flex the way you work. Kill rigid office presence policies unless they're business-critical. Trust your people to get their work done. Other companies do this, and that's where people want to work.

This isn’t a nasty, angry, cheating breakup; your team is going to a better place.