I noticed the shift in vocabulary during a general meeting of department heads. The substitution of just two words signaled to me that a long-term employee was on her way out. In less than 30 days, she was gone.

There are often lots of signs that an employee or associate is leaving. Most people signal a break up before they actually close the door behind them. Some signs, however, are far from certain indicators of an impending exit.

People change habits all the time. Circumstances outside of the job may force them to vary when they check in for the day and when they clock out. Just about everyone gripes from time to time. Short vacations and the occasional day off may mean they are job hunting or interviewing, or it may not. Those things and more may hint at a change and they may not.

However, the specific use of two little words signals a shift in attitude, loyalty, and ownership. Their use infallibly predicts that an employee departure is imminent. I’ve seen it and heard it dozens of times in my own companies and those for whom I’ve consulted.

 …