How I was doing seemed to hinge more on the boss' mood that day than on any action or inaction on my part. I suspect this manager never paid much attention this person until the day he gave his notice. Implementing a simple, easy to understand measurement system that employees can use to rate their own performance is a great way to motivate and keep employees. Performance statistics that are tracked and accessible to the employee. Performance reviews based on objective criteria.
People are goal-oriented beings.
They need to see progress, and need to have an idea of where they're going. One company identified a group of employees and appointed a personal career coach to each of them. They remarked that it was so remarkable to have someone asking them what they wanted to do next. In order for coaching to be effective, everyone involved in strategic planning for the organization should communicate selected messages about where the company is headed, to the coaches and employees. Anticipate new skills that the company expects to need, and potential future opportunities for people in a general sense.