We conducted our own stay interviews with a few employees who are happy, engaged, and staying put in their current jobs, to understand what’s behind their satisfaction. Here’s what they had to say. 1. Trust and autonomy Employees want to feel like their manager trusts them to do what they do best, with the best interest of the company at heart. You hired them for their skills, so give them the space to apply themselves and try new things. “I’m taking the lead on so many projects, and I see friends in the same field doing the same things who have 10 years of experience. I only have 3, almost 4 years and I’m able to do so much, I’m able to take risks.” 2. A great manager Managers are at the heart of employee success, and employees want someone who really supports them. Continuously working on your management skills is key to keeping your team intact. “My manager brings goals, objectives, and really clear roles for all of us. She’s implemented a lot of guidelines and procedures that help us really mainstream our processes and work more efficiently.” 3. Challenge and purpose Feeling a sense of satisfaction at the end of the work day can be a big driver of engagement. Employees want to feel like they’re contributing in a meaningful way and applying themselves to something that they feel really matters. “Every day involves a variety of problems that need to be solved. It’s definitely challenging but there’s a nice level of satisfaction when everything is processed correctly. I’m working on employee’s pay files every day.”