What’s harder than managing smart people? It’s keeping them juiced and happy. You can’t let your guard down and hope that somehow a miraculous sense of personal loyalty will keep them interested and away from the greener pasture syndrome. You have to keep a special eye on the smart ones in your group, for they always figure out a way to find a company that knows they’re smart and is ready and willing to invest in them.

So what do you do to keep them interested, engaged and employed? In my 7+ work years, I’ve been lucky to have been both the target of and the giver of juice. I’ve probably seen and handled all personality types: from the prima donna, the recluse, the leader, the buddy, the crybaby… even the guy who’s just obsessed with money.

• Money is probably the easiest method. We all need it and we all can’t get enough of it. I’d say 50% of people get juiced this way. Throw money their way and once screaming employees will shut up, if only for a short period of time…which is good. Because that short period of time is all you need to find, recruit, train and install the screamer’s replacement.
• Be the shoulder to lean on. Everyone loves to have a boss who understands your psychosis and is ready to give you some slack while you recover from your most recent episode. Nevermind that you’ve been absent for over 30% of your contracted time at the office. Your boss understands your situation and is always on your side. But take heed. Your boss might realize that by ridding the office of the psychotic and the demented, he is actually doing you a favor.
• Arm them with knowledge. A double edged sword, sharp one at that. By rewarding employees with the gift of knowledge, you teach them to fish…and fish they will. The smart ones get addicted to knowledge and salivate at every link that you throw their way. But knowledge is such rare commodity these days. When they smell regurgitated content and has-been insights from you, start re-opening your resume bank and start calling those B-level people who didn’t make the original cut.

I guess the best juice is the juice that I myself will drink (and have drank for over a year already): it’s trust. Trust that you will be taken care of. Trust that you have my best interests in mind.

So how do you water your group’s kshatriyas and brahmans?