The Exit You Do Not See Coming
The managers about to leave are not the ones complaining. They are the ones who have gone quiet. By the time you are trying to retain them,
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Topic guide · 37 articles
Employee Retention
Why good people leave — and what leaders can do about it. Retention strategies that go beyond perks to fix the system.
People don't leave bad companies. They leave friction. These articles identify the systemic causes of turnover and give you practical fixes.
Why good people leave and what leaders can actually do about it. Retention strategies that go beyond perks to fix the system, keep your best managers, and reduce costly turnover.
Why Your Next Generation of Managers Does Not Want the Job
Gen Z has had a front-row seat to: – parents and older colleagues burning out – “high performers” rewarded with more work, not more support
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How to Build Manager Capability When You Do Not Control the Budget
This is one of the most common situations I see in HR and OD teams.
Read article →How to Buy Manager Development That Changes Your Numbers
If you want leadership to move the business this quarter, you cannot buy leadership development like an annual event.
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How a Wrong Turn in the Grand Canyon Changed How I Make Decisions
Standing in the depths of the Grand Canyon as the sun set, I faced a problem that would later define how I think about leadership decisions.
Read article →What 250 Articles Taught Me About Why Capable Managers Get Stuck
When I first started writing this blog back in 2020, I had no idea what would come of it. The original purpose was simple: to get my thought
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Why Your Managers Have Good Intentions but No Capacity Left
When leaders know what to do but can't do it
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How Fear of Getting It Wrong Is Slowing Your Team Down
When was the last time you watched a child learn to walk?
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How to Get Your Team Moving When Everyone Is Waiting for Permission
Jumping out of a perfectly good plane is something I haven’t done yet but it’s been a thing on the “almost” bucket list for a while now.
Read article →Why Pushing Harder Stops Working and What to Do Instead
One of the things that have been top of mind for me during this lockdown period has been how and where I use my energy.
Read article →How Getting Clear on Your Values Cuts Decision Fatigue
I’ve spent the last couple of weeks packing up my life, dropping various possessions into friends’ attics for storage, and moving from NZ ba
Read article →Why Building an Inclusive Team Takes Longer Than You Want
Ian Treloar is a long time friend and former colleague of mine who, for all the time I have known him, has been trying to grow truffles.
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How to Deal with Feeling Like a Fraud in a Senior Role
Chances are that you have been successful for most of your career.
Read article →How to Set Up Hybrid Working So Your Managers Can Still Lead
The concept of the Great Resignation and how businesses can configure themselves differently for the future which will
Read article →How Four Hidden Tensions Are Blocking Your Team's Performance
Leadership is hard because it’s a game of tensions:
Read article →How to Run Leadership Conversations That Change What Happens Next
Picture the scenario. I’m running a “Ways of Working” session with the leadership team of a large Asian electronics company
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How to Delegate Without Losing Control or Creating More Work
There we were in a workshop, talking about how to hand over tasks effectively, to free up energy and time to focus on more important things.
Read article →What Five Years of Running a Business Taught Me About Managing People
Have you ever grown anything? A plant? A child? A business?
Read article →How to Avoid the Development Mistake That Wastes Time and Budget
As we move to an age of digitized learning, it has become apparent that a lot of companies are going to focus on providers who offer app-bas
Read article →How Defining Your Leadership Brand Cuts Decision Fatigue
Do you have a leadership brand? Do you know what one is?
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How Trust Between Your Managers Speeds Up Everything
Imagine being in the Board Room, talking about the commercial upside of being a leader who builds trust.
Read article →How a Clear Team Purpose Protects Against Burnout
“It doesn’t matter how hard I work, I just don’t seem to be making a difference.
Read article →How Building Connection Reduces Burnout and Lifts Engagement
Do you remember when you were younger, and the feeling of trepidation as you walked in the front door of a new school or club?
Read article →How the Right Kind of Connection Keeps Your Team Engaged
Last week we started discussing the idea of connection – in particular the idea of connecting new starters to the business, their peers, and
Read article →How Leaders Accidentally Exploit Their Team's Willingness
This blog was one I thought long and hard about how to write. Then I thought, if it feels uncomfortable for me
Read article →Why You Are the Reason You Never Switch Off and How to Fix It
For the last 10 weeks, we have taken you on a journey through the 5 factors which prevent burnout.
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Why AI Cannot Replace Your Purpose as a Leader
AI can write the report and model the forecast. It cannot supply the purpose, judgement and trust your managers lead with. Here is why that
Read article →How to Build a Team That Performs When It Matters Most
We recently had the pleasure of hosting an engaging and insightful conversation on our podcast with the remarkable Jill DePompei Morales
Read article →What Parenting Taught Me About Developing Managers
In the realm of leadership, fascinating connections can be found in unexpected places. One such intriguing overlap exists between parental l
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How to Build Resilience That Goes Beyond Coping
In today's ever-evolving world, resilience is the secret ingredient that empowers us to navigate challenges and truly thrive in the face of
Read article →How One Leader Built a Business Around Purpose Not Profit
Indulging in the pleasure of chocolate without the guilt is a dream turned into reality by Glenn Gardone, the visionary behind the delicious
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How Better Executive Communication Moves Your Numbers
In the fast-paced world of business, success often hinges on effective leadership and stakeholder engagement. As a senior leader
Read article →How Your Daily Habits Might Be Driving Your Burnout
The repercussions of burnout are absolutely devastating, not just for individuals but also for organizations.
Read article →How to Reclaim Your Identity When Work Has Taken Over
The grind culture has many leaders believing that their value is measured by their workload and accomplishments.
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How to Keep Your Best Managers When Pressure Is at Its Peak
Ever wonder why your managers keep leaving despite all the effort you put into creating a thriving environment?
Read article →Why the Same Approach Will Keep Producing the Same Bottleneck
Ever catch yourself saying, “If I can just get through this week… this month… this quarter, things will calm down”? It’s a familiar refrain
Read article →Podcasts and media on employee retention
PodcastThe High Performance Leader
How managers can boost staff buy in for change
Learn how managers can use internal marketing to boost employee engagement and drive successful change. Listen for practical strategies and
Listen to episode →PodcastThe High Performance Leader
How managers build staff buy in for organisational change
Struggling to get staff buy in for change? Discover proven strategies for managers to boost engagement and drive lasting results. Listen now
Listen to episode →PodcastThe High Performance Leader
How managers get better results from external recruiters
Struggling to get value from external recruiters? Learn how managers can build effective partnerships and avoid hiring mistakes in this epis
Listen to episode →PodcastThe High Performance Leader
How managers drive change in resistant government teams
How managers lead change in resistant government teams. Learn practical servant leadership strategies from Alex Smith, City of Memphis CHRO.
Listen to episode →PodcastThe High Performance Leader
How managers drive change in resistant government teams
Struggling to lead change in a resistant team? Learn proven strategies for managers to boost engagement and performance in government organi
Listen to episode →PodcastThe High Performance Leader
Why Managers Should Hire Veterans for Operational Success
Learn why hiring veterans boosts operational performance. Discover the value veterans bring and how managers can leverage their unique skill
Listen to episode →Questions leaders ask about employee retention
Why do my best people keep leaving?
High performers usually leave because of friction, a poor manager relationship, or a lack of growth, not because of pay alone. Fix the day to day experience of working in your team and retention follows.
How do I retain staff without increasing salaries?
Invest in the things people value beyond money, such as a good manager, clear progression, meaningful work and autonomy. Removing the friction that makes work frustrating often does more for retention than a pay rise.
How much does a manager affect employee retention?
The direct manager is one of the biggest factors in whether someone stays or goes. People join companies and leave managers, so developing your management layer is one of the highest leverage retention moves you can make.
What are the early warning signs someone is about to quit?
Watch for disengagement, dropping discretionary effort, withdrawal from the team and a stop in asking about the future. The signals usually appear well before the resignation, if you are paying attention in your one to ones.
How do I keep my team motivated during difficult periods?
Be honest about the situation, protect your people from unnecessary chaos, and keep connecting their work to something that matters. Motivation holds up better under pressure when people trust their leader and understand the why.
Explore More Topics
Team Performance (79)Culture Change (46)For Senior Leaders (41)Communication (38)Remote Leadership (36)Work-Life Balance (33)Coaching Skills (30)Building Trust (27)Decision Making (25)Accountability (25)Delegation Skills (24)Having Hard Conversations (22)Leadership (19)Change Management (11)For New Managers (8)Emotional Intelligence (8)Dealing with Burnout (5)Management (4)For HR Leaders (4)Gen Z Workforce (4)Running Better Meetings (3)Managing Difficult People (3)
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