It was about this time 12 years ago and I had just joined this great organisation. Something was in the air at the time of my assumption of duties and talent retention was key for what was about to happen. It was important to retain about 20/25 key talents in the workforce for what was about to crystalise.
I had the not-so-happy task of handing my colleagues cheques of about 100 to 150% of their annual pay as ‘golden handcuffs’. Not-so-happy because I was not a beneficiary but a job that had to be done. It would have been delusional however to have thought I was going to be on ‘that list’. I had a personal conference with myself in retrospect and concluded, Yemi, just do your job.
9 months later, the MD called me into his office and gave me what was a supplementary list to the retention list. 3 other employees were to be given the retention package. I took one step out of his office and shortly before shutting the door, I took 2 steps back into his office and asked him, “don’t you think my name should be on this list?” Without a word, he took the piece of paper from me and included my name.
A shut door doesn’t mean it’s locked. Just try the knob…
