Strong leadership is the key to retention. While some managers excel at managing processes, the most effective leaders focus on their people, building trust, fostering growth and inspiring engagement. Here are four defining features of leaders who retain top talent and drive results.
1. They Lead with High Emotional Intelligence (EQ)
Emotional intelligence (EQ) is the ability to understand and respond to employees’ emotions in ways that build trust, connection and loyalty.
Leaders with high EQ understand that every employee is unique. They adjust their communication style and support based on individual needs, recognizing when to give direct feedback and when someone may need space to recharge. Beyond this, they go the extra mile to show they care—remembering birthdays, important milestones or personal challenges.
For hybrid teams, where there are fewer in-person interactions, emotional intelligence is even more critical to bridge communication gaps.
2. They Turn Mistakes into Learning Opportunities
Mistakes are inevitable, but how leaders handle them defines the culture of their team. The best leaders see mistakes as opportunities for growth, not failure. They work with employees to understand what went wrong, identify lessons and ensure the employee learns from them to become stronger. Employees who feel trusted after making a mistake are more likely to stay engaged and motivated.
3. They Give Real Feedback
Employees crave growth, but they can’t grow without clear, actionable feedback. Effective leaders provide feedback regularly, not just during annual reviews. When providing feedback, start by highlighting strengths, then move to areas for improvement with specific, actionable suggestions.
Employees who know where they stand and how they can improve feel more confident, less stressed, and more engaged.
4. They Ask for Feedback
The best leaders know feedback should flow both ways. They regularly ask their team how they can improve, demonstrating humility and a commitment to growth. During one-on-one meetings, impactful leaders ask:
- What can I do differently to support you?
- What motivates you most: compensation, recognition, being challenged or something else?
- What’s preventing you from doing your best work?
These conversations help leaders identify blind spots and build trust with their team, while also uncovering insights that drive retention and productivity.
At LaSalle Network, we’ve spent over two decades helping organizations identify and develop top talent. Whether you’re looking to build a stronger leadership team or retain your best employees, we can help. Get connected with us today.
