Cognitive Scaffold

Preparing your thinking workspace

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MENTAL MODEL · M0853

Keeper Test

Keeper Test
BusinessHigh supportManagement
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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

Managers periodically ask themselves: "If this person told me today they were leaving to join a competitor, would I fight hard to keep them, or would I breathe a sigh of relief and accept?" If the latter, they should be fired now, with a generous severance package.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

Maintaining talent density. Don't wait for a big mistake to fire someone. Mediocrity is the biggest mistake.

anchor

Anchor fast decisions

A stay interview refers to managers proactively asking current employees why they stay and what might make them leave, to prevent attrition before it happens, as opposed to an exit interview.

MINIMUM ACTION

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Practice this model in one real situation:

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Source support: Explicit

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