The Key to Retaining Top Talent & Driving Explosive Growth

One of the biggest challenges businesses face is not just hiring the right people but keeping them. High turnover rates can be incredibly costly, not just financially but also in terms of team morale, productivity, and company culture.

Are you building a team that sticks—or one that churns? The difference lies in expectations, leadership, and preparation.?

Josh Cote from EAW Consulting has developed a high-impact strategy to ensure new hires don’t just stick around but thrive and contribute to the company’s explosive growth. If you’re serious about building a winning team, here’s what you need to focus on:

1. Set high expectations from day one

If you want a high-performing team, you must set high standards from the start. The foundation of a successful team begins with a structured onboarding process that goes beyond the usual welcome package.

How do you do this?

• Clearly communicate expectations in the very first conversation.
• Provide a roadmap for success, outlining short-term and long-term goals.
• Train new hires to handle challenges early on, such as overcoming objections and mastering product knowledge.

When people know what’s expected of them and have a solid foundation, they’re more likely to stay engaged and committed to the role.

2. Lead with strong relationships

People don’t just leave jobs—they leave leaders.?

A good salary may get someone in the door, but relationships make them stay. Employees want to feel valued and understood. As a leader, it’s your job to build those relationships.

Building a genuine relationship with your team members builds trust and commitment, motivating people to do their best. Remember what it’s like to be new, keep things simple, and create an environment where confidence can grow.

3. Manage your team with structure & precision

Outstanding leadership is a system; it’s intentional!??

Josh Cote strongly advocates using a strategy planner to track daily planning, team performance, and critical conversations. A structured system ensures that no one is overlooked.

Effective tracking should include:

• Conversations and follow-ups with team members.
• Individual and team performance tracking.
• Identifying areas where additional support or coaching is needed.

Without structure, it’s easy to lose sight of the small details that make a big difference. Leaders who operate with precision create an environment where their teams can consistently perform at a high level.

4. Maximise your network

Success doesn’t happen in isolation. One of the biggest mistakes leaders make is keeping their teams confined to their office or market. Growth comes from learning—and one of the best ways to learn is by networking with top performers in your sector.?

Exposing your team to different perspectives and best practices can lead to game-changing breakthroughs. There’s no reason to reinvent the wheel when you can learn from those who have already mastered it.

5. Set the standard & lead by example

A team follows the pace of its leader so high standards must start at the top. Leaders set the tone, whether it’s work ethic, attitude, planning, or preparation. Consistency is the foundation of a high-performing team.

Leadership is about action. If you set the bar high, your team will rise to meet it.

The challenge: apply & execute

Knowledge is useless without action. Josh suggests that leaders must apply several retention strategies consistently to build their biggest and strongest team yet. Key action steps include:

• Using a structure for daily planning & team.
• Prepping team activities in advance and using voice notes to communicate.
• Encouraging new team members to network and learn from senior members of the team.? Learn from their experience
• Connecting with the global network to learn from international leaders.
• Be a good finder and build confidence creating positive energy in the workplace.??

Retention is 100% how you lead! If you’re serious about building a powerful, high-retention team, start applying these strategies today. Josh Cote at EAW Consulting is dedicated to developing leaders who raise standards and drive explosive growth.