Imagine walking into the office one morning and having your star team member ask if you have a few minutes to talk, only to hand you their resignation. However, managers who deeply understand their team members' long-term aspirations can anticipate these changes and influence their decisions through regular, open career conversations. These create more meaningful relationships with people on your team, uncover what motivates them, and increase their impact and engagement in their current role. By having effective career conversations, you can help your team members build a plan to achieve their goals and align it with concrete opportunities within the company. This approach encourages self-reflection, helps identify skills gaps, and fosters a win-win situation for both the individual and the organization. Ultimately, embracing these conversations as a way to spur people's growth over time is crucial for retaining great talent and driving success.