Improving Employee Retention and Engagement

The Challenge

A fast-growing organization was experiencing record-high employee turnover in Product and Engineering, leading to a critical talent deficit. Many of the most experienced employees were leaving, and teams struggled to retain talent. Feedback from interviews and surveys revealed the core issue: a management culture that pushed employees harder without offering support, feedback, or growth opportunities. Employees felt undervalued and unheard in an environment that once celebrated their contributions.

The Approach

To address these challenges, a simple but impactful survey was developed with fewer than a dozen questions, focusing on systemic issues affecting employee satisfaction. Key actions included:

  1. Data Transparency: The survey was anonymous but team-specific, providing managers with actionable insights about their own teams while also sharing the same data openly with employees.

  2. Manager Support: Alongside the data, managers were given resources directly tied to the issues identified within their teams, offering clear, actionable steps to improve the work environment.

  3. Cultural Shift: By regularly sharing survey results across the organization, the focus shifted toward valuing employee satisfaction, creating accountability for managers and visibility into improvements.

The Results

Initially, some managers viewed the survey as insignificant, but as the results gained traction, the culture began to change. Managers started prioritizing clearer communication, productive 1:1 meetings, and career development for their teams. Employees regained autonomy and saw more intentional support from leadership. Within a year, employee satisfaction scores improved dramatically, rising from an average of 65 to 89 out of 100. Retention rates followed suit, with the company successfully keeping more of its seasoned talent and building a more engaged and resilient workforce.

The Takeaway

This case demonstrates that improving retention doesn’t always require sweeping changes—often, it starts with listening. By giving managers actionable data and fostering transparency, the company rebuilt trust and created a more supportive, growth-oriented environment.

Ready to Create a More Engaged Workforce?

If your organization is struggling with retention or employee satisfaction, let’s work together to find simple, actionable solutions that drive meaningful change. Reach out today to explore how we can make it happen.