Seven Leadership Habits That Improve Employee Retention with Leslie Speas

For HR teams who discuss this podcast in their team meetings, we've created a discussion starter PDF to help guide your conversation. Download it here https://goodmorninghr.com/EP252  In episode 256, Coffey talks with Leslie Speas about developing high-retention managers who improve employee engagement, accountability, trust, and workplace culture through intentional leadership habits.  They discuss promoting high-performing employees into leadership roles without proper management training; emotional intelligence and self-awareness as foundational leadership competencies; connecting employees to organizational purpose and mission-driven work; building workplace trust through consistency, humility, and integrity; coaching employees through questions instead of problem-solving; accountability systems that improve performance and retention; effective communication strategies for managers and team leaders; employee recognition and appreciation practices that reinforce company values; empathy and flexibility in supporting employee wellbeing and mental health; leadership development frameworks that strengthen organizational culture and productivity; practical feedback models including the BEAN and BET communication methods; performance management processes that move beyond annual reviews; balancing individual contributor career growth with leadership readiness assessments.  Good Morning, HR is brought to you by Imperative—Bulletproof Background Checks. For more information about our commitment to quality and excellent customer service, visit us at https://imperativeinfo.com.   If you are an HRCI or SHRM-certified professional, this episode of Good Morning, HR has been pre-approved for half a recertification credit. To obtain the recertification information for this episode, visit https://goodmorninghr.com.   About our Guest:  Leslie Speas is a seasoned Human Resources and Organizational Development leader with over 30 years of experience. She serves as Founder and President of InfluenceHR Consulting, a firm dedicated to helping leaders and HR teams build workplaces where people will thrive and stay.  Leslie holds a master’s degree in industrial/organizational psychology and possesses senior-level HR designations and certifications in coaching, the Working Genius, Enneagram assessment, and Talent Management/Succession Planning. Her leadership experience spans diverse sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing, technology, financial services, and nonprofit organizations. In addition, she is the author of the book, 7 Habits of High-Retention Managers.  Leslie is heavily involved in furthering the HR profession and serves as a District Director with the North Carolina Society for Human Resources Management. She and her husband, Tracy, reside in Winston-Salem, N.C.  Leslie Speas can be reached at: https://www.influencehrconsulting.com  https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-speas  https://www.facebook.com/influencehrconsulting  https://www.instagram.com/influencehrconsulting  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdH17Da_dvt_UFpRNmUvqrQ    About Mike Coffey:  Mike Coffey is an entrepreneur, licensed private investigator, business strategist, HR consultant, and registered yoga teacher. In 1999, he founded Imperative, a background investigations and due diligence firm helping risk-averse clients make well-informed decisions about the people they involve in their business. Imperative delivers in-depth employment background investigations, know-your-customer and anti-money laundering compliance, and due diligence investigations to more than 300 risk-averse corporate clients across the US, and, through its PFC Caregiver & Household Screening brand, many more private estates, family offices, and personal service agencies. Imperative has been named a Best Places to Work, the Texas Association of Business’ small business of the year, and is accredited by the Professional Background Screening Association.  Mike shares his insight from 25+ years of HR-entrepreneurship on the Good Morning, HR podcast, where each week he talks to busine