How To Retain Your Best People During Challenging Times

How To Retain Your Best People During Challenging Times

Doing CX Right podcast show on Spotify with host Stacy Sherman
DoingCXRight-Podcast-on-Amazon-with-host-Stacy-Sherman.
Doing Customer Experience (CX) Right Podcast - Hosted by Stacy Sherman
Doing CX Right podcast show on iHeart Radio with host Stacy Sherman
In today’s challenging business environment, keeping your top talent engaged and committed is more crucial than ever. How do successful organizations retain their top talent while navigating significant changes? That’s the question we’re exploring today.

In this episode of Doing CX Right, Stacy Sherman sits down with Lisa Kaplowitz, an expert in business leadership, to discuss change management strategies that not only help organizations pivot but also retain top talent. Lisa shares her unique insights on how leaders can create inclusive environments, foster employee engagement, and reduce turnover through effective change management. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to optimize their leadership approach during transitions.

Key Questions:

  1. How can leaders drive change without losing their top talent?
  2. What are some effective strategies for retaining talent during times of organizational change?
  3. How does employee buy-in impact change management success?
  4. What role does mentorship play in building a thriving workplace culture?
  5. How can businesses measure the success of their change management efforts?

Critical Insights:

Doing CX Right means crafting a work environment where both change and talent retention thrive together. Lisa emphasizes the importance of maintaining authenticity in leadership while aligning personal values with organizational culture. She stresses that change is inevitable, but by casting a wider net for talent and removing structural barriers, leaders can drive innovation and improve retention.

Key Topics:

Change Management and Employee Retention

  • Effective change management isn’t just about implementing new policies—it’s about ensuring your employees feel valued and engaged throughout the process. Learn how building trust and setting clear expectations can prevent resistance and increase retention.

The Power of Mentorship Programs To Retain Top Talent 

  • Mentorship isn’t just a “nice-to-have” anymore—it’s essential. Discover why building mentorship programs, both formal and informal, can create a more supportive environment and foster career growth.

Inclusion as a Key to Retaining Top Talent

  • Lisa shares her perspective on building an inclusive culture that supports diverse backgrounds and experiences, ensuring employees feel they belong and are more likely to stay long-term.

Measuring Impact with Data

  • What gets measured gets improved. From tracking promotion rates to measuring the engagement of mentorship programs, Lisa explains how data-driven insights are crucial for understanding what’s working and where change is needed.

Practical Takeaways:

  1. Encourage Open Communication: Transparent conversations with employees during times of change can ease transitions and build trust.
  2. Invest in Employee Well-Being: Recognizing caregiving and work-life balance as valuable experiences helps improve workplace culture and productivity.
  3. Pilot New Programs: Start small. Pilot initiatives like mentorship programs and evaluate their success before scaling up.
  4. Diversity Matters: Take deliberate steps to expand your talent pool and create more diverse, innovative teams.

Companies Mentioned:

  • Rutgers Business School
  • Bed Bath & Beyond
  • TIAA

Leadership Advice:

  • “No is the beginning of yes”
  • “Live life like a diversified portfolio”
  • “Don’t let perfection get in the way of progress”
  • “Know enough people who know more than you do”

Final Reflection

How will you manage change in your organization to ensure you don’t just survive it—but thrive through it, all while keeping your top talent engaged and committed? What’s your next step?

Press Play  To WATCH On Youtube

About Lisa Kaplowitz:

She is the co-founder and executive director of the Rutgers Center for Women in Business, dedicated to transforming leadership for women. Her journey as a gender equality advocate began at Brown University, where she played a key role in the Title IX case enhancing women’s sports. Featured in major media outlets, Lisa also serves as an Associate Professor at Rutgers Business School, drawing on her extensive experience in finance to inspire students to think critically about business growth. She holds a B.A. from Brown and an MBA from Kellogg. A former captain of the Brown Women’s Gymnastics team and a Hall of Fame inductee, Lisa founded the Brown Athletics W.O.M.E.N. network. Based in New Jersey, she loves her Peloton, traveling, and skiing, while actively promoting gender equity at home and work. Catch her insights in her TEDx talk, Advancing Women in the Workplace, One Son at a Time. Connect with Lisa on  — LINKEDIN

About Stacy Sherman: Founder of Doing CX Right®‬

Stacy is a professional speaker, advisor, and passionate advocate of customer experience (CX) excellence. As the founder of Doing CX Right®, she has dedicated years to answering one critical question: What does it mean to “do CX right,” and how can businesses consistently deliver it for measurable results?

Exceptional customer experience isn’t just a feel-good effort—it’s a driver of measurable business growth and a key to thriving in the AI era. With over 25 years of leadership at brands like Liveops, Schindler Elevator, Verizon, Wilton Brands, and AT&T, Stacy has achieved record-breaking NPS improvements, safeguarded $3B in customer portfolios, and earned recognition as a Top 10 Global Guru and Top 25 CX Thought Leader. Through her award-winning Doing CX Right® podcast, LinkedIn Learning courses, and best-selling books, she strengthens customer relationships and removes barriers to growth. She delivers transformative experiences that differentiate brands while enriching lives.

Need help? Schedule time.

Are you Doing Customer Experience (CX) Right?

Is your customer experience creating loyal advocates who genuinely love your brand? Are your employees inspired to champion your mission, while others in your industry view you as the gold standard they strive to reach?

Exceptional customer experience isn’t just a feel-good effort—it’s a driver of measurable business growth.

Take Stacy’s Customer Experience Assessment to uncover:

  • Barriers limiting your brand’s growth and impact.
  • Factors that drive stronger customer connections and deeper loyalty.
  • Strategies to create meaningful experiences that set your brand apart.

Your customer experience has the power to transform your business and define your market position. Don’t leave it to chance.

Change Management Employee Retention Mentorship Matters Leadership Development  Workplace Culture Customer Experience Customer Service

Overcoming Resistance to Change: Why It’s Important and How to Do It

Overcoming Resistance to Change: Why It’s Important and How to Do It

Resistance to change is a natural human instinct. It’s often fueled by fear of the unknown, discomfort with uncertainty, and a desire to maintain the status quo. While it’s understandable that people resist change and get stuck in their comfort zone, it’s essential to recognize that resistance can be counterproductive to businesses and personal growth.

Reasons why resistance to change is not effective:

  1. Creates risk of falling behind competitors. Leaders that don’t adapt to changing market conditions and customer needs often have a competitive disadvantage. Embracing change allows companies to get ahead of the curve and achieve goals.
  2. Hinders innovation. Without the willingness to test and learn, businesses miss out on opportunities for growth. Embracing change opens the door to new ideas and approaches, which helps brands maintain relevancy in their industry.
  3. Leads to stagnation.  Without movement, there’s typically a decline in performance and customer satisfaction. On the other hand, embracing change helps businesses stay current and energized, leading to better outcomes.
  4. Can erode trust. When people resist change, it can create tension and mistrust within the organization. This can lead to low morale, conflict, and ultimately, a decline in productivity. By embracing change and fostering a culture of trust and open communication, businesses can create a positive, collaobrative environment that ultimately enhance customer experiences.

    >LEARN MORE about how to increase trust for long term employee and customer relationsips. 

Tactics to shift mindselts and overcome resistance to change:

  1. Communicate the reasons for change. People are more likely to embrace change if they understand the rationale behind it. Clearly communicate the benefits of the change and how it will positively impact the business and its stakeholders.
  2. Involve employees in the change process. Including employees helps build buy-in and commitment. Lead focus groups and solicite input from employees on how to implement the change in a way that works best for them.
  3. Provide training and support. Change can be overwhelming, especially if people are unsure of how to do things differently. Providing education and support helps work teams feel more confident and capable as they navigate the change.
  4. Recognize and reward successful change efforts. When people see and feel that their actions to embrace change are noticed and appreciated, it naturally encourages a positive attitude towards future change initiatives.

Resistance to change is natural, but it doesn’t have to be a roadblock to success. By embracing change and implementing strategies to encourage a positive attitude towards it, businesses can position themselves for long-term growth and better customer experiences. The same principles apply to your personal life too.

 

If you like this article, check out my other one published in Forbes >HERE  

 

Example Of What Happens When We See Clearly and Embrace Change:

(Resharing from Brian Solis LinkedIn post.)