I’ve heard the same story as most of you.
“So and so, to one of his direct reports for a ride while talking about the Citi. They drove by Wells Fargo and he told his direct as he pointed at Wells Fargo, ‘There’s your problem, now fix it’. “ All in light of people leaving Citi to go elsewhere for more money.
I have no idea if this story is factually true but I can relate that I personally have heard on calls and in the office other MD’s relating the same sentiment. “As soon as the hiring spree at WF is over with, things will calm down”. The problem isn’t with WF its with Citi, that’s why people are leaving to begin with.
As hokey as it may sound, this statement works: “Train your people well enough to where they can leave. Treat them well enough to where they don’t want to.”
This statement does not: “If you don’t like it, get off of the train.”
Forced team photos, don’t cut it. Forced camaraderie events, don’t cut it.
Forced return to the office so you join zoom meetings all day there instead of at home, don’t cut it. Free donut Friday, has no impact. Free company tshirts don’t work. Forcing people to celebrate “x” way of life, no one cares. If this is all that Citi can come up with to try and keep people happy at Citi, then people will adhere to Jane’s advice and continue to “get off of the train”.