“HR Heretics” | How CPOs, CHROs, Founders, and Boards Build High Performing Companies Exit Interviews Are a Waste of Time
Aug 12, 2025
The discussion casts doubt on the value of traditional exit interviews, highlighting their performative nature. Employees often withhold honest feedback due to fear of repercussions. Instead of relying solely on exit interviews, they advocate for fostering open communication to gain real insights into company culture. The hosts also explore innovative workforce planning tools that can enhance recruitment and decision-making. Ultimately, they emphasize the need for leadership to engage in genuine conversations that uncover systemic issues within organizations.
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Exit Interviews Often Feel Performative
- Kelli Dragovich says exit interviews often act as a performative checkbox.
- Employees rarely view them as a venue for honest, actionable feedback.
Fear Of Being Blackballed Silences Candor
- Kelli Dragovich says leavers fear being 'blackballed' and losing future job prospects.
- That fear silences candid complaints during formal exit interviews.
The Real Exit Interview Happens Earlier
- Kelli Dragovich argues the true exit interview happens in informal conversations before resignation.
- Those pre-exit signals are where leaders can act to change the organization.