How Transparency and Tough Love Drive Employee Retention
Chris Hellgeth and I, had a fascinating conversation around the highs and lows of business success and failure.
Before someone joins my (Chris) team, there’s one rule: they must talk to the other people who already work here. I insist on this because the hardest part about working here is me. If we are good, you’ll be here for the rest of your life. If not, well, it probably won’t work out. I prefer to cut to the chase.
I want every new hire to know exactly what they’re getting into before they start. They need to understand the landscape. When they talk to the team, they hear the same thing: I don’t tolerate any nonsense. If someone tries to feed me BS, they’re gone. This upfront honesty has kept my turnover rate among the lowest in the industry.
I always tell new hires everything that might be awful about working here. This way, they know they didn’t leave a good job only to step into a bad environment. Transparency is key; it always has been.
Evolving as a Leader
Over the years, I’ve changed a lot as a boss. I’ll do anything for my team because we’re in this together. However, I don’t come to work to be miserable. If someone doesn’t do their job, it’s not my responsibility to parent them. My expectations are clear: be on time, present yourself well, and communicate effectively. These are basic requirements that should have been learned long before joining my team.
If someone can’t meet these standards, it’s simply not a good fit. This straightforward approach works wonders. Being manipulative only backfires. If I manipulate someone into thinking I’m a nice guy and this is an easy place to work, they’ll eventually realise the truth, and it all unravels. I’d rather be upfront about my tough love approach from the start.
The Importance of Accountability
Accountability is crucial. If you tell a customer you’ll be there at a specific time and fail to show up, it makes me look bad and affects the entire team. That’s not acceptable. Everyone here knows that their actions impact others, and that’s a responsibility I don’t take lightly.
Creating a Cohesive Team
This approach isn’t for everyone. Some people can’t handle the truth or the straightforward manner in which I operate. But that’s okay. It filters out those who aren’t a good fit quickly. I tell them upfront: if you need constant hand-holding and pats on the back, this isn’t the place for you.
I treat people the way I want to be treated, and I’ve built a team that shares this philosophy. We respect each other and hold each other accountable. While I’m not perfect and don’t get it right 100% of the time, my turnover rate speaks for itself. People come here and stay because they appreciate the honesty and the challenge.
Lessons for Other Industries
Many industries can learn from this approach. By allowing potential hires to speak with current employees, they get a “try before you buy” experience. It’s not for everyone, and that’s fine. Those who thrive in a straightforward, no-nonsense environment will find a home here. For those who don’t, it’s better to part ways early.
In the end, transparency and tough love have proven to be the cornerstones of my people management strategy. This approach has fostered a loyal, dedicated team that sticks around for the long haul.
You can watch the full YouTube clip below