Top 10 Resignations of 2016: 12 Years of Leading Turnover Research
New York, NY (PRWEB) January 10, 2017 -- Iconic names provide instant recognition. Michael Strahan, Gretchen Carlson, Arianna Huffington, David Ortiz . Guess what? They all quit in 2016. Strahan dropped the ball on Kelly Ripa. Huffington left her post. Carlson is no longer anchored at Fox News. While genies grant three wishes of your dreams, the “Biggest Quits,” being like no other, will give you 3 trends for free.
Trend 1: “Show me the money, or maybe not.” Jerry, not everyone is in it for the money. Several of the Top 10 retired or resigned for reasons beyond their own paycheck. People at the top of their game walked away. David Ortiz left Boston Red Sox, his home for 13 years, despite still slugging like an all-star at age 40. The west coast weather could not keep Charlie Scharf from overstaying his Visa, he stepped down as CEO to be closer with his family on the east coast. Howard Schultz, CEO of ubiquitous coffee house and start-up conference room, Starbucks, stepped away from the counter to serve up a “social impact agenda”.
Trend 2: A crack in the glass ceiling. In 2017 there will be more women leading Fortune 500 companies than ever before, at 27, though still just 5%. In a big move by the Biggest Quits, 40% of the Top 10 Big Quits are female. Cancer fighting pharmaceutical Novartis CEO, Christie Shaw, considered to be one of the most powerful women in her field, left to join her sister in her own battle against cancer. The popular Fox News commentator, Gretchen Carlson, left amid sexual harassment allegations against the company Chairman. Co-Founder of the Huffington Post, Arianna Huffington unplugged to build a health and wellness site. Victoria’s Secret’s Sharen Jester Turney shed her CEO title, to “prioritize my family and my personal life” (also see Trend #1).
Trend 3: “I think I’m going to miss work…yesterday.” Just as the smooth and steady transition of power is the hallmark of democracy, preparation and planning is essential to leadership change. 2016 saw an unusual immediacy to top level resignations. “No time like the present” was taken literally by Michael Strahan who provided no notice to his Live with Kelly and Michael co-host. The velocity of change may be a new normal, but abrupt departures wreak havoc on consumer confidence, company stock price, and the productivity of everyone affected.
About the “Biggest Quits” List
The most significant U.S.-based resignations qualify for inclusion on Retensa’s annual “Biggest Quits” list. To make the Top 10, Retensa applies three criteria: (1) the magnitude of impact on the individual’s industry or field, (2) the financial loss or loss of influence of the enduring organization, and (3) the degree that the enduring organization is unprepared to respond. Join the conversation by tweeting @Retensa with #BigQuit. For this year’s Top 10, as well as previous lists and contenders who almost made it, visit Retensa’s Biggest Quits (http://www.biggestquits.com).
About Retensa
Retensa addresses the social and economic impact of employee turnover for public, private, and non-profit organizations in 44 countries and 12 languages. They combine retention strategies and web-based technology to attract, motivate, and retain employees. To create the “Retention Environment,” Retensa provides expertise in HR Metrics, Employee Surveys, Mentoring, Exit Interviews, and Talent Management Solutions.
Gabriel Stavsky, Retensa, Employee Retention Experts, http://www.biggestquits.com, +1 (212) 545-1280, [email protected]
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