Over the past year, talent retention has become big news. “The Great Resignation” has seen millions of workers leave their jobs–and it’s not just entry-level workers either. Resignations are highest among mid-career employees. Their departure can be devastating to a business, wiping out continuity, upsetting team chemistry and necessitating an expensive hiring process, all while leaving your team shorthanded. One thing is clear: companies must do more than ever to retain their talent. But what exactly does that mean? More of what?

Craig Flowers, founder of Sideline Leadership, has an answer to that; actually he has three. Through Craig’s twenty-five years in the Army–including ten in direct support of special operations and seven as director of cadet activities at West Point–he’s seen the differences between elite teams and average ones. Craig noticed that elite teams don’t have any problem with talent retention–in fact, workers passed on promotions to remain part of the group. Since leaving the Army, he’s established a framework for cultivating that type of culture–one that’s more appealing to employees than greener pastures.

So on this episode, we break down Craig’s “Know, Care, Challenge” formula for talent retention and how leaders can implement it in their own organizations. Plus, why retaining an employee starts before you even hire them, and how to adjust your acquisition process to keep talent long-term. It’s everything you need to know, care and challenge your assumptions about talent retention.

Read the full show transcript.

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Meet the Host

Patrick Pacheco, Executive Vice President, Trust Executive, has more than 25 years’ experience in wealth management, in addition to the designing and implementation of tax and related planning strategies.

Pacheco’s background includes years of legal practice and multiple degrees, including an LLM* Taxation from University of Houston, a JD from Southern Methodist University, and both an MBA and BS in Economics from University of Texas at Arlington.

He is also board certified in Estate Planning and Probate law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

Meet the Speakers

J. Craig Flowers is a native Texan originally from San Antonio. His 25 years in the US Army encompassed a decade overseas, including three years in The Kingdom of Morocco. His final military assignment was at West Point where he taught and served as the Director of Cadet Activities and Assistant Baseball Coach.

Craig attended Texas Christian University earning a degree in Economics while playing baseball for the Horned Frogs. He holds a M.A. from Kansas University and is fluent in French. He trained, specialized and operated in the field of Human Intelligence.

Founder of The Sideline Leadership CO., he works with NCAA Coaches, CEO’s and Corporations on Character, Culture and Leadership Development. His corporate clients include Dell (Senior Executives), Sealed Air and The Tudor, Pickering, Holt & CO.

He also works with Horizon Performance LLC assisting in the assessment, selection and development of NASA astronauts, special operators and elite college athletes.

He is often heard on FM 104.9 ‘The Horn’ as a guest co-host for the “B&E Show”; Austin’s most listened to sports talk show. He hosts his own radio show “The Zero 900 Show”, Saturday’s 9-10 am (streamed live at HornFM.com). Craig and his wife Beth have three daughters and live in Austin.

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