Why Holding Loosely to Your Team Members Actually Increases Retention

Introduction: The Paradox of Employee Retention

Many leaders believe the best way to retain employees is by holding onto them tightly—offering promotions, incentives, and trying to keep them engaged at all costs. But what if the key to long-term commitment isn’t holding on tighter—but rather loosening your grip?

When leaders invest in their people personally, support their goals (even beyond their current role), and create an open-handed culture around career growth, employees actually become less likely to leave.

I’ve lived this firsthand and have seen it time and again with my coaching clients. The leaders who say, “I want to help you grow, even if it means you outgrow this role,” are the ones with the most engaged and committed teams.

Why Holding Tightly Backfires

When leaders try to keep employees locked into their roles, they inadvertently create the conditions for disengagement and turnover:

• Lack of Growth = Frustration – Employees who feel like they’ve hit a ceiling will look elsewhere for growth opportunities.

• Fear of Change Breeds Resentment – If employees sense their boss doesn’t want them to advance beyond their current job, it can create tension and mistrust.

• Micromanagement Kills Buy-In – Employees don’t want to feel owned. They want to feel empowered.

Ironically, the more you try to keep people, the more likely they are to leave.

A Better Approach: Leading with an Open Hand

Here’s what works instead:

1. Invest in Your Team’s Growth—Even If It Takes Them Elsewhere
   Early in my career, I asked my direct reports to complete this sentence three different ways:
   “Someday I want to __________.”
   The answers could be personal or professional, big or small. It helped them articulate their goals and allowed me, as their leader, to help make those things happen.

• Did they want to move into leadership? I connected them with mentors.

• Did they want to develop new skills? I found training opportunities.

• Did they want more flexibility? I explored options to make that happen.

2. Here’s the kicker: because they knew I cared about their whole career—not just their role on my team—they were more invested in the work we were doing together.

3. Help Employees See Their Impact
   One of the greatest gifts a leader can give is helping employees see their own value—sometimes before they recognize it themselves.
   People don’t leave just because another job pays more. They leave when they don’t feel seen, valued, or connected to their work. As a leader, you have the ability to call out their strengths, highlight their impact, and make their contributions visible.

4. Encourage Ownership Over Career Growth
   The best teams are made up of individuals who feel agency over their future. Instead of clinging to your employees, equip them to take ownership of their careers. That might mean:

• Helping them identify their next step

• Providing mentorship and development opportunities

• Supporting their growth, even when it means they might leave someday

The Result: A More Engaged, Loyal Workforce

When employees feel valued, empowered, and invested in, they don’t want to leave. It’s not just about the paycheck—it’s about the connection, the purpose, and the growth they experience in your organization.

Leaders who hold loosely to their team members win in the long run. Because when you create a culture where people feel seen, supported, and free to grow, they want to stay.

Want to build a workplace that retains great people? Explore my burnout and leadership resources at the top of this page.

Bridging the Values Gap Between Organizations and Employees

Introduction: Why ‘Mission-Driven’ Isn’t Enough Anymore

Many organizations proudly call themselves mission-driven. They put their values front and center, expecting employees to align effortlessly. But here’s the reality: personal values don’t always match organizational values. And pretending they do creates a silent but powerful force of disengagement, frustration, and burnout.

The space between what an organization stands for and what its employees believe in is called the values gap. If left unaddressed, this gap can lead to distrust, low morale, and high turnover. However, organizations that actively acknowledge and bridge this gap create deeper trust, engagement, and long-term commitment.

The Hidden Danger of the Values Gap

When employees feel disconnected from their organization’s mission, it manifests in several ways:

• Disengagement: Employees stop going above and beyond. They do the bare minimum because they feel their efforts don’t matter.

• Mistrust: When an organization’s stated values don’t match employees' lived experiences, skepticism grows.

• Burnout: When employees are asked to work against their personal values or constantly compromise their beliefs, stress and exhaustion follow.

• Turnover: People don’t just leave for better pay—they leave when they feel their work doesn’t align with their purpose.

As someone who has navigated burnout firsthand, I know how painful it is to feel out of sync with an organization’s mission. For the last two years I worked in healthcare, I felt this dissonance growing—and it nearly broke me. Many of my coaching clients feel the same today.

The good news? We can address this. But it starts with acknowledging the values gap, not ignoring it.

How Organizations Can Bridge the Values Gap

If leaders want to create lasting engagement, they must shift from assuming alignment to actively fostering it. Here’s how:

1. Make Room for Honest Conversations
   Organizations that pretend everyone is 100% aligned are setting themselves up for failure. Instead, create forums where employees can voice concerns, express misalignments, and discuss how to navigate them.

2. Recognize That Values Can Coexist
   Not every employee will share the same priorities. That’s okay. The goal isn’t uniformity—it’s understanding. Leaders should help employees see where their values do align while also respecting areas of difference.

3. Ensure Leadership Models the Values They Preach
   One of the fastest ways to widen the values gap is for leadership to say one thing and do another. Employees notice inconsistencies, and those inconsistencies create distrust.

4. Connect Employee Contributions to the Bigger Picture
   People need to see how their work matters. Even if they don’t feel a deep connection to the overarching mission, they should understand how their contributions make a tangible difference.

The Takeaway: Talk About the Gap, Don’t Ignore It

The workplace is changing. Employees are demanding alignment between their personal values and their professional lives. Organizations that acknowledge and address the values gap will thrive—those that ignore it will face disengagement, burnout, and turnover.

So let’s stop assuming we’re all on the same page and start having real conversations about what’s on our pages.

Want more strategies on employee engagement and burnout prevention? Explore my resources at the top of this page.

Ensuring Accessibility in Employee Well-Being Programs

Introduction

Accessibility is a critical factor in the success of well-being programs. Ensuring that all employees can easily access these resources is essential for fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment. Here’s how you can make your well-being programs more accessible.

Strategies for Enhancing Accessibility

1. Clear Communication

• Provide clear information about available well-being resources and how to access them.

• Ensure that all communication is easy to understand and accessible.

2. Affordable Options

• Make sure well-being programs are free or affordable for all employees.

• Offer financial assistance for those who need it.

3. Diverse Delivery Formats

• Provide resources and support in multiple formats, including in-person, online, and via mobile apps.

• Ensure that virtual options are as effective and engaging as in-person ones.

4. Inclusive Resources

• Offer resources in multiple languages and formats to accommodate different needs.

• Ensure that facilities are accessible to people with disabilities.

5. Regular Assessment and Improvement

• Collect feedback on the accessibility of well-being programs.

• Continuously make improvements based on employee feedback and needs.

Making well-being programs accessible ensures that all employees can benefit, regardless of their role or location. This inclusivity fosters a healthier, more productive work environment .

The Importance of Organizational Support in Well-Being Programs

Organizational support is a cornerstone of effective well-being programs. When leaders actively support these initiatives, it sets a positive tone and encourages participation. Let's dive into how organizational support can make a significant difference in employee well-being.

The Role of Organizational Support

1. Leadership Involvement

• Leaders should model healthy behaviors and boundaries.

• Participation from leadership signals the importance of well-being initiatives.

2. Resource Allocation

• Providing necessary resources such as funding and time for well-being activities.

• Ensuring employees have access to mental health resources, fitness programs, and healthy food options.

3. Creating a Supportive Culture

• Developing policies that promote work-life balance, like flexible schedules and remote work options.

• Encouraging a culture where well-being is prioritized and employees feel valued.

4. Training and Development

• Offering training programs for leaders to recognize and address signs of burnout.

• Providing tools and resources for employees to manage stress and improve their well-being.

5. Regular Feedback and Adaptation

• Collecting feedback through surveys and focus groups to understand employee needs.

• Continuously improving well-being programs based on this feedback.

Organizational support plays a vital role in the success of well-being programs. By fostering a supportive environment, providing necessary resources, and encouraging leadership involvement, organizations can enhance employee well-being and overall workplace productivity .

Recognizing and Rewarding Hard Work to Prevent Burnout

Recognition and rewards play a crucial role in preventing burnout and enhancing employee morale. When employees feel valued and appreciated, their job satisfaction increases, reducing the likelihood of burnout.

The Power of Recognition: Recognition and rewards can significantly boost employee morale and motivation. When employees feel their hard work is acknowledged and appreciated, they are more likely to remain engaged and committed to their roles. This can lead to reduced stress and a lower risk of burnout.

Real-Life Example: One of my direct reports needed just one thing from me. Everything else was meaningless. I could give him raises, awards, recognition in front of peers and superiors, and he was unaffected. But, I finally learned what he needed. In my office with the door closed, I learned to say, “Jon, I saw what you did. I think it was really meaningful.” Tears usually came to his eyes. I called out a specific action he took, and told him it was significant. It cost me nothing, but it meant everything to him.

Practical Steps for Implementation:

1. Establish a Recognition Program: Create a formal recognition program that regularly celebrates employees' achievements. This can include monthly awards, public acknowledgments, or small incentives.

2. Be Specific and Timely: When recognizing employees, be specific about what they did well and provide recognition promptly. This reinforces the positive behavior and shows genuine appreciation. And remember that not everyone likes to be recognized in the same way.

3. Involve Peers: Encourage peer recognition by allowing employees to nominate each other for awards or acknowledgments. This fosters a supportive and collaborative work environment.

4. Offer Meaningful Rewards: Provide rewards that are meaningful and valued by employees. This can include gift cards, extra time off, or professional development opportunities.

5. Make It Personal: Personalize the recognition to make it more impactful. A handwritten note or a one-on-one conversation can be more meaningful than a generic email or public announcement.

Conclusion: Recognizing and rewarding hard work is a key strategy in preventing burnout. By showing appreciation for employees' efforts, organizations can boost morale and create a more positive and productive work environment.