Managing technical professionals: how to react when one of your top performers decides to leave

ORGANIZATIONS depend on top performers to accomplish organizational goals. Top performers can be managers or individual contributors, and they distinguish themselves in the way they lead teams to successfully execute on projects, lead projects, or contribute to projects as technical contributors. And since organizations depend on these top performers they demonstrate their appreciation by assigning them the most challenging projects, giving them visibility to help them advance in their careers, keeping them satisfied financially by giving large bonuses, company stock, etc., and giving a positive message to the top performers that they are making a difference in the company and that they are valued in the organization.