Retain and Engage: The Power of Purposeful Stay Interviews

Employee retention is a growing challenge, with burnout and disengagement leading to higher turnover rates. One of the most effective tools for retaining top talent isn’t a new policy or perk—it’s a conversation. Stay interviews, when framed around purpose, can provide meaningful insights into what truly matters to employees and how organizations can better support their growth and well-being.

What Is a Stay Interview?

Unlike an exit interview, which gathers insights from employees who are leaving, a stay interview is a proactive discussion designed to understand what keeps employees engaged—and what might push them away. It’s an opportunity for organizations to identify strengths, address concerns, and align employees’ roles with their sense of purpose.

The Power of Purpose in Stay Interviews

Purpose-driven organizations outperform their peers in engagement, productivity, and retention. Stay interviews that focus on purpose go beyond surface-level job satisfaction and uncover deeper motivations, such as:

• How employees see their work contributing to the company’s mission.
• What aspects of their job give them a sense of fulfillment.
• How well their role aligns with their personal values and career aspirations.

How to Conduct a Purpose-Centered Stay Interview

To make the most of stay interviews, consider incorporating these key elements:

1. Set the Right Tone

Approach stay interviews as open, nonjudgmental conversations. Employees should feel safe to share honest feedback without fear of repercussions.

2. Ask Purpose-Driven Questions

Go beyond generic satisfaction questions by asking:

• What aspects of your work feel most meaningful to you?
• How do you see your contributions making a difference?
• What changes would help you feel more aligned with your purpose at work?

3. Act on the Insights Gained

Gathering insights is only valuable if action follows. Use employee feedback to make meaningful changes—whether through role adjustments, growth opportunities, or enhanced purpose-driven initiatives.

Making Purpose a Daily Practice

Stay interviews shouldn’t be a one-time exercise. Organizations that integrate purpose into daily conversations, performance reviews, and leadership development create a workplace culture where employees feel connected, valued, and motivated.

At Kumanu, we help organizations build cultures of well-being by connecting employees to their purpose. Our solutions, like Purposeful, provide leaders with the tools to make purpose a driving force in engagement and retention strategies. By prioritizing purpose in stay interviews and beyond, companies can create an environment where employees don’t just stay—they thrive.

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