Why Employees Stay: Leadership Communication Insights from Gary Butterworth

If your organization is trying to improve retention with more perks, surveys, or exit interviews, this episode shows why the real opportunity may be the conversations leaders are not having. Resources Mentioned: 2026 On the Pulse Report: Insights on Employee Benefits Trends – Download this free report for forward-looking trends in employee benefits, including workforce wellbeing, employee engagement, retention, and leadership communication. [https://imacorp.com/insights/hr-insights-on-the-pulse-report-2026] Visit imacorp.com to connect with the IMA team and learn more about building smarter employee benefits. Listen and Subscribe: Share this episode with a fellow HR leader and subscribe to On the Pulse with IMA on your favorite podcast platform for more practical insights. Have questions or topics you'd like covered? Reach out via imacorp.com. Episode Description: Kelly Bowman sits down with Gary Butterworth, a communication expert, speaker, trainer, and former broadcaster, to discuss why employee retention often comes down to the quality of the relationship between a leader and their people. Gary explains why perks and surveys are not enough, how one-on-one conversations build trust, and why stay interviews can reveal what exit interviews often miss. They explore the difference between efficiency and effectiveness, the role of active listening, how leaders can create space for honest dialogue, and why Gary prefers to call stay interviews “bespoke career-centered conversations.” From practical questions leaders can ask to advice for handling unexpected responses, this conversation offers a clear reminder that employees are more likely to stay when they feel seen, heard, supported, and able to grow. Guest Bio: Gary Butterworth is a communication expert, speaker, trainer, former broadcaster, and longtime Toastmasters participant. His career has included radio, television weathercasting, teaching, training, and leadership communication. Known for his energy, humor, and practical approach to interpersonal skills, Gary helps leaders strengthen workplace relationships through better listening, more meaningful conversations, and communication practices that build trust and engagement. Host: Kelly Bowman Key Timestamps: 00:00 - 01:05: Introduction to retention, leadership communication, and why employees leave. 01:05 - 01:34: Show intro and welcome. 01:34 - 03:32: Gary shares his career journey from radio and TV to speaking, training, and Toastmasters. 03:32 - 05:51: How broadcasting, listening, and interpersonal skills shaped Gary’s communication approach. 05:51 - 08:31: Why retention is less about perks and more about leader-employee relationships. 08:31 - 11:11: Why surveys are not enough and why one-on-one conversations are more effective. 11:11 - 14:56: Stay interviews versus exit interviews, and how trust influences whether employees stay. 14:56 - 19:49: How employees can approach stay conversations and why leaders must build credibility over time. 19:49 - 23:27: Gary’s “bespoke career-centered conversation” approach and why it should be separate from performance reviews. 23:27 - 26:29: The communication skills leaders need: active listening, follow-up questions, note-taking, and curiosity. 26:29 - 29:30: How hesitant leaders can prepare through role-playing and practice. 29:30 - 34:45: Sample stay interview questions and how leaders can listen for meaning, motivation, and growth opportunities. 34:45 - 38:27: How leaders should respond when employees share unexpected or difficult feedback. 38:27 - 43:00: The future of leader-employee relationships, emotional intelligence, AI, and creating meaning at work. 43:00 - 45:38: Why communication may separate organizations that retain talent from those that struggle. 45:38 - 47:29: Gary’s final takeaway: meet one-on-one, grow your people, and build trust consistently. 47:29 - End: Closing thanks and show outro. Resources Mentioned (Repeated for Convenience): 2026 On the Pulse Report: Insights on Employee Benefits Trends – Download this free report for forward-looking trends in employee benefits, including workforce wellbeing, employee engagement, retention, and leadership communication. [https://imacorp.com/insights/hr-insights-on-the-pulse-report-2026] Visit imacorp.com to connect with the IMA team and learn more about building smarter employee benefits. Listen and Subscribe (Repeated for Convenience): If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a fellow HR leader and subscribe to On the Pulse with IMA on your favorite podcast platform for more practical insights. Have questions or topics you'd like covered? Reach out via imacorp.com.