What a Christmas Table Taught Me About Employee Retention

Employee retention isn’t built with perks, programs, or forced fun.

It’s built in the moments where leaders choose to listen, trust, and let teams be themselves.

In this mini-episode of Relationships at Work, Russel Lolacher shares a simple Christmas decorating story that explains why his team stayed together for nearly 12 years — and why high retention is never an accident or a “unicorn.”

This episode breaks down:

• Why autonomy matters more than engagement initiatives
• How leaders accidentally push people away by enforcing conformity
• What retention really looks like in everyday leadership decisions

If you’re serious about keeping good people — not just hiring them — this episode reframes what employee retention actually requires.

And connect with me for more great content!

• Sign Up for R@W Notes
• Subscribe on Youtube
• Follow on Linkedin
• Follow on Instagram
• Follow me on Threads
• Follow on TikTok
• Email me anytime