Episode 206

3 Surprising Ways To Keep Your Best Employee from Quitting : Leadership Conversation For Seasoned Entrepreneurs

Nothing strikes fear into an entrepreneur's heart like losing their top performer. But what if the reason your best employees are considering leaving has nothing to do with money or workload? In this eye-opening episode, Lindsay shares the hidden psychological triggers that drive good employees away – and the simple strategies to prevent it.

Through a personal story about her first job at PetSmart, Lindsay reveals how even well-meaning managers can accidentally push out their most valuable team members. You'll discover why the biggest threat to employee retention isn't your competition – it's the stories your employees are telling themselves about where they stand with you.

In this episode, you'll learn:

  • Why your best employees won't ask for feedback (and what to do about it)
  • The dangerous assumptions employees make when communication breaks down
  • How to implement simple quarterly check-ins that prevent 90% of surprise resignations
  • The "Five Love Languages" approach to employee motivation and recognition
  • A brilliant onboarding game that reveals what truly motivates each team member
  • How to embrace ambitious employees without creating insubordination
  • Why career advancement isn't always about promotions or money

Real-world strategies include:

  • The "Would You Rather" technique for discovering employee motivators
  • How handshakes reveal personality types and communication preferences
  • The framework for involving high-performers in leadership without losing control
  • Simple recognition methods that cost nothing but create fierce loyalty

Perfect for business owners who want to build a loyal, engaged team and avoid the costly cycle of constantly replacing good people.

Featured sponsor: Biz in a Box Solutions CRM – the all-in-one business solution that handles everything from websites to automation.

Mentioned in this episode:

The Clockwork Method

Is your business the baby that never grows up? It keeps you up at night, interrupts date night, and forget taking a vacation because you can't ever find the right sitter. Good news - our signature Clockwork Method program turns your business into the independent, thriving operation it was meant to be.We help you build the processes that empower the people to scale the profitability without you micromanaging every detail. The Clockwork Method isn't just another coaching program that leaves you with a heap of to-do's to add to your plate. In this program we build the systems with you, handling the big tech heavy lifting that just slows you down. Ultimately the clockwork method is here to help you transform your business from needy, dependent operations into mature businesses that runs itself. Discover more today at https://theclockworkmethod.com

About the Podcast

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Freedom Entrepreneur Podcast
Helping You Engineer Your Freedom & Your Business Success

About your host

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Lindsay Sutherland

Lindsay Sutherland is a business consultant, speaker, and entrepreneur dedicated to helping business owners build companies that run with freedom, purpose, and profit. With over 20 years of leadership and sales experience in the automotive industry, Lindsay understands the challenges of growing a business that feels more like a burden than a blessing. After leaving corporate life, she co-founded Biz in a Box Solutions, a CRM and automation company that empowers small service-based businesses to streamline their operations and reclaim their time.

Her signature consulting program, The Clockwork Method, guides overwhelmed business owners through the process of systemizing, scaling, and stepping back into the true role of visionary leader. Lindsay’s approach blends practical business systems with faith-led alignment, helping entrepreneurs not only make more money but also create a business that supports their life — not the other way around.

As the host of The Freedom Entrepreneur Podcast, Lindsay shares strategies, stories, and mindset shifts that challenge conventional thinking and inspire business owners to grow without burning out. She also co-owned Off Grid Unlimited Installations, an electrical and renewable energy company in Idaho, where she lives with her husband and four children on their family farm.

Passionate about redefining success beyond hustle culture, Lindsay helps leaders build businesses rooted in clarity, sustainability, and freedom. Whether she’s speaking on stage, consulting with executives, or mentoring faith-led entrepreneurs, her mission is the same: to help people transform their business into a vehicle for purpose, profit, and lasting impact.