When High Performers Leave: Why It’s Not Always a Setback

I have been an IT manager for almost 15 years. Throughout that time, many team members have come and gone. The hardest part is always losing a high-performing member. However, as a manager, I believe everyone deserves opportunities for growth, which often means seeing valuable team members leave for companies that offer higher pay, a better work environment, or other incentives. I once read that it’s typically the best performers who leave first and over the years, I’ve come to accept this as a reality.

What might initially feel like a setback actually has a silver lining. In this field, many IT professionals have a natural affinity for certain tasks or technologies. For example, I might have a feature I'd wanted to implement that remained stagnant for months—then, a new hire joins, and the feature is immediately tackled. Every new team member brings fresh ideas and skills, which fuels continuous improvement.

While losing top talent is never easy and the hiring process can be daunting, I’ve come to see the bright side. When done thoughtfully, hiring new talent brings fresh perspectives that enrich our team.