Don't Let Top Talent Drift

Do you recognise top talent in your workplace, or is it allowed to drift? By the time the next promotion cycle comes around, your best performers could already be disengaged - or worse, looking elsewhere.

Employee engagement isn’t just something you check in on once a year. It’s shaped by daily experiences, conversations, and opportunities. Yet, in many organisations, high-potential employees are left waiting - sometimes for years - for a promotion cycle to confirm their value. And by then, it’s often too late as they may have already decided to move on.

Failing to act early doesn’t just cost you good employees - it damages morale, disrupts team dynamics, and can significantly impact business performance. Losing high performers means losing institutional knowledge, customer relationships, and leadership potential. And the frustrating part? Most of these losses are entirely avoidable.

The Risk of Silence: A Real Example

We recently heard of a high-performing employee who had been receiving rave reviews from senior management and clients alike. By all accounts, they were a key asset to the business - delivering exceptional work and making a real impact.

But there was a problem.

Despite all the praise, no one had explained how the remuneration process worked. They had no clarity on what determined their pay increase, what levers were at play, or how decisions were made. And without that information, frustration started to set in.

The silence became deafening. Instead of feeling valued, they began to feel overlooked. Instead of staying engaged, they started questioning whether they had a future in the organisation. And from there, a dangerous thought crept in:

"Maybe it’s time to look elsewhere."

And that’s exactly how top talent drifts away. Not with a dramatic exit, but with a gradual erosion of trust and motivation. Not because they’re unhappy with their work, but because they feel unrecognised in ways that actually matter.

Why This Happens More Than You Think

Many organisations assume that as long as employees aren’t complaining, they’re fine. But silence isn’t always a sign of satisfaction - it can be a warning sign of disengagement.

Some employees won’t raise concerns because:

• They assume management already knows their value and will act accordingly.
• They don’t want to appear entitled or pushy.
• They think the process is rigid and nothing can be done.
• They’re quietly exploring other options.

By the time they make their frustrations known, it’s often too late - they’ve already accepted another job offer.

A Strategy of Silence is Dangerous

Waiting until the next promotion or pay cycle to have these conversations isn’t just a missed opportunity - it’s a risk. Employees who feel unseen or undervalued won’t necessarily voice their frustration, and many won’t even hint at their disengagement.

They’ll simply check out.

They’ll start operating at the bare minimum. They’ll stop going the extra mile. And when the right opportunity presents itself elsewhere, they’ll take it - before you even realise they were considering leaving.

So what can you do?

How to Retain and Develop Your Best People - Before It’s Too Late

1. Make Feedback a Habit, Not a Formality

An annual review isn’t enough. High performers want regular, meaningful conversations about their progress, career trajectory, and contributions.

• Set up quarterly career conversations (separate from performance reviews).
• Ask them directly: What motivates you? Where do you see your next step? What’s frustrating you?
• If you see great work happening, acknowledge it immediately - don’t wait for a formal process.

When employees feel their growth is being actively considered, they’re far less likely to look elsewhere.

2. Be Transparent About Pay and Progression

One of the most frustrating things for employees is not knowing how decisions about pay and progression are made. Ambiguity creates doubt, and doubt leads to disengagement.

• Explain the process clearly. What factors determine salary increases? What’s within their control?
• Outline the steps for progression. If a promotion isn’t immediate, what development or milestones need to happen first?
• Avoid vague answers. Statements like “We’ll see in the next cycle” or “It’s out of our hands” only create more frustration.

A lack of transparency doesn’t just make employees feel undervalued—it can make them feel powerless. Once that feeling sets in, they start looking for options that will allow them to feel more in control of their careers.

3. Create Growth Opportunities Now

Promotion cycles shouldn’t be the only path to career growth. If an immediate promotion isn’t possible, look for other ways to stretch and develop your top talent.

• Give them high-visibility projects that showcase their strengths.
• Offer mentoring or leadership shadowing experiences.
• Provide opportunities to work cross-functionally to build new skills.

The goal is to ensure employees feel they are growing in their role - not just waiting for a promotion that may or may not come.

4. Advocate for Internal Mobility

If a promotion isn’t available in their current department, look elsewhere within the organisation.

• Can they take on a hybrid role that expands their skillset?
• Are there secondment opportunities that keep them engaged while waiting for a leadership spot?
• Is there a chance to specialise in an area of interest?

Top talent wants progression - if they can’t find it with you, they will find it somewhere else.

5. Recognise Contributions in Real-Time

Silence is a signal - one that says “we don’t see you.”

Regular, meaningful recognition keeps motivation high and reassures employees that their efforts aren’t going unnoticed. And this doesn’t just mean monetary rewards.

• Public acknowledgement in leadership meetings.
• One-on-one appreciation from senior leaders.
• Non-monetary rewards like extra learning opportunities or choice assignments.

Recognition fuels engagement. When employees feel seen and valued, they’re more likely to stay and continue delivering at a high level.

Final Thought: The Best Time to Act is Now

If you wait for the next promotion cycle to recognise your best people, you risk losing them. Organisations that retain top talent invest in their people every day, not just when a formal process demands it.

So, take a moment. Who in your team deserves more recognition and clarity today?

More importantly - what’s stopping you from having that conversation now?

For more information. Visit our website www.mastersinminds.com