In today’s fast-paced business world, companies can’t afford to lose their best talent. Yet, many organizations face alarming turnover rates without fully understanding why. A CEO of an international mid-sized firm recently asked his leadership team, ‘How come we didn’t know this was an issue for our employees?’”
Why Listening to Employees is Crucial
High turnover rates can signal that something is wrong, but it’s often difficult for executives to pinpoint the root causes. Even with annual employee surveys in place, the real reasons behind dissatisfaction and disengagement can be missed. So, what are executives missing, and why do so many employees feel that their management teams are out of touch with their reality?
The problem
Surveys can only scratch the surface. They often fail to capture the nuances of workplace dissatisfaction because they lack the human connection that encourages employees to speak freely. Many organizations still rely on surveys, hoping they will reveal the full picture. However, meaningful engagement goes beyond ticking boxes—it’s about creating real connections.
How did we approach our quest to find what was really on people’s minds with our client?
At RPU Communication we believe that the human connection and listening with empathy to employees and acting on their feedback can be transformative for any business. Here's why it matters and how to do it effectively.
The solution
After an initial conversation with the Leadership Team, we decided not to launch another survey or focus group. Instead, we leveraged the CEO’s personal and warm leadership style to create ‘StayingConnected’ sessions—small, informal gatherings designed to foster open dialogue."
Considering that every organization has its own dominant cultural drivers and distinguished behaviors, in our management view of things we tend to immediately jump to wanting to survey people, and hope for magically overnight safe space and open communication culture, however we are all humans and not machines so we need to feel that someone is genuinely wanting to see and hear me and is committed to make the changes needed.
The outcome
The results were transformative. Employees not only opened up about their work challenges but also shared personal stories, deepening their connection with leadership and colleagues. These sessions gave management critical insights into why employees felt unheard, despite previous surveys, and offered a roadmap for genuine change.
In the end, it’s not just about listening—it’s about listening with empathy and acting on what you hear. When leadership prioritizes authentic communication and makes space for real conversations, it can transform the workplace. In this case, it wasn’t the surveys, but the StayingConnected sessions that fostered trust, community, and long-term commitment. The role of a leader is to create a culture where people feel respected, heard, and valued—and that’s when engagement thrives.
Are You Ready to Reconnect with Your Team and Transform Your Culture?
If your company is experiencing high employee turnover, disengagement, or feeling the strain of a disconnect between leadership and staff, it’s time to take action. Surveys alone won’t get to the heart of the problem—you need real, open conversations with your people.
Our StayingConnected consulting service specializes in creating environments where employees feel heard, respected, and valued. We help leadership teams like yours foster genuine communication and build a culture of trust that translates into higher employee retention, satisfaction, and overall productivity.
Here’s how we can help:
- Facilitate personalized StayingConnected sessions, tailored to your organization’s needs.
- Equip your leaders with tools and strategies to listen with empathy and act on employee feedback.
- Identify key insights about your workforce that standard surveys miss, allowing you to implement meaningful changes.
- Foster a culture of connection that encourages open communication and long-term engagement.