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More than a Third of Employees Don't Feel Comfortable Speaking Up at Work
Here’s why that matters—and what to do about it More than a third of employees say they don’t feel comfortable sharing feedback at work. Let that sink in for a minute. That means in many organizations, a significant portion of your workforce is holding back—not sharing concerns, offering ideas, or telling you what’s really going on. But when employees don’t speak up, the problem doesn’t go away. It just gets more expensive, more complicated, and harder to fix. What’s Really
Leslie Speas
Apr 293 min read


Before You Lay People Off, Read This
The U.S. has seen one of the biggest surges in layoffs in the last decade. While reducing headcount is sometimes necessary, I’m seeing too many organizations go there too quickly, before fully exploring other options. I’m also seeing something else. Layoffs handled by email. Quick virtual meetings. Little thought to the ripple effect. A friend of mine had their entire department eliminated in a Zoom meeting. It was explained that the work was being outsourced. After the mes
Leslie Speas
Apr 193 min read


The Problem Isn't Your Employees: It's What You're Tolerating
This post shares information around tolerating small things that can result in disengagement, frustration, and even turnover over time.
Leslie Speas
Apr 152 min read


The Hidden Risk Behind Lower Turnover
What is job hugging? Learn why employees are staying in their jobs in 2026, the impact on engagement, and what leaders should do about it.
Leslie Speas
Apr 22 min read


If Engagement is Low, Everything Else Gets Harder
Employee engagement is critical to organizational success. This post provides guidance on how to improve it in your organization.
Leslie Speas
Mar 262 min read


👉 The Real Reason You’re Losing Good Employees (And What to Do About It)
Discover the real reason you're losing your best employees and what you can do about it.
Leslie Speas
Mar 172 min read


The Real Cost of Losing a Great Employee (And Signs They May Be Leaving)
When a top performer leaves, most companies focus on the cost of replacing them.
But the real damage usually shows up somewhere else — in morale, workload, client relationships, and team momentum.
In this article, I break down the real cost of losing great employees and some of the early signs someone may be getting ready to walk out the door.
Leslie Speas
Mar 93 min read


Workplace Drama Is a Symptom — Not the Problem
Every organization says some version of this: “We just have too much drama.” This probably looks like: Water cooler conversations Frustration bubbling under the surface People venting about one another The meeting after the meeting Avoided conversations Escalations that shouldn’t have been escalations Gossip And almost every time, someone attributes it to a personality problem. But here’s what I’ve learned after 30+ years in HR and organizational development: Drama is rarely
Leslie Speas
Feb 273 min read


Improving the Employee Experience: What Today's Employees Really Need
Most organizations say their people are their greatest asset, but few can confidently say they’ve built an employee experience that helps those people perform, grow, and stay. That’s because employee experience isn’t just about perks, engagement surveys, or the annual offsite. It’s the sum of every moment an employee has with your organization , from hire to retire. But building that kind of experience can feel overwhelming, especially for small HR departments or leaders jugg
Leslie Speas
Dec 10, 20254 min read


Stop the January Turnover Spike: Act Now!
Every year, like clockwork, January becomes new job season . People reflect over the holidays… reevaluate their careers… and decide whether they want to stay or make a fresh start. Even though the job market has shifted, you STILL want to keep your best talent and ensure that they are engaged and productive. And here’s the part most leaders don’t realize: 👉 Employees don’t decide to leave in January. They decide in November and December — and act in January. The good news is
Leslie Speas
Nov 14, 20252 min read


The Power of a Simple Thank You
It may be cliché, but I always think of November as the season of gratitude. This week, I’m focusing on how gratitude isn’t just a nice-to-have sentiment but a key ingredient in boosting employee retention and engagement. William James said, “ The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated. ” I believe this to be true. People won’t stay with your organization or bring their best if they don’t feel valued and appreciated. The Reality According to Quan
Leslie Speas
Oct 30, 20253 min read


Quiet Cracking: The Silent Threat to Retention
We’ve had Quiet Quitting and Quiet Firing —but now there’s a new “quiet” trend making waves in the workplace: Quiet Cracking . So, what’s the deal with all this quiet stuff? The Rise of the “Quiet” Trends Quiet Quitting - It started with Quiet Quitting in the COVID era, when employees disengage and do just enough to get by. Not because they’re lazy, but because they feel overworked, underpaid, or disconnected from purpose. Quiet Firing - Then came Quiet Firing , when leade
Leslie Speas
Oct 23, 20253 min read


Why Stay Interviews Could Be Your Secret Weapon for Retention
Retaining and engaging talent continues to be a top pain point for most organizations. One of the best ways to address it is by listening...
Leslie Speas
Oct 3, 20252 min read


The Thing That Matters Most for Retention and Engagement
If I had to name just one factor that makes or breaks employee retention and engagement, it would be this: a good manager. Consider the...
Leslie Speas
Sep 18, 20252 min read


3 Strikes, You're Out - Don't Let Employee Problems Linger
Sound familiar? Mary Manager and HR Hank are discussing Debbie Deadlinemisser: Mary Manager: “Every time a project is due, Debbie shows...
Leslie Speas
Sep 12, 20252 min read


Why Most Onboarding Fails—and How Your Organization Can Get It Right
Imagine spending months recruiting your dream candidate, only to have them leave within six months. That’s what happens when onboarding...
Leslie Speas
Sep 5, 20252 min read


The Silent Culture Killer
We’ve all seen it. A toxic employee who goes unchecked. A high performer who’s quietly disengaging. A team that’s operating more like a...
Leslie Speas
Jul 25, 20252 min read


Unlock Your Greatest Strategic Advantage: Your People!
While many organizations focus on technology, innovation, and marketing to gain a competitive edge, the most powerful and often...
Leslie Speas
Nov 24, 20242 min read


Your Secret Weapon for Better Retention and Engagement in 2025
Would you like to have better retention and engagement in 2025? An important way to do this is to budget for employee development. It is...
Leslie Speas
Oct 18, 20242 min read


Top 3 Contributors to People Problems - #3 Toxic Culture
Over the last few weeks, I have shared what I believe are two of the biggest contributors to people problems in organizations: A –...
Leslie Speas
Sep 20, 20243 min read
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