A KEEPing Culture Creates Lasting Retention

Caregiver retention. Office staff retention. What is your reaction to those few simple words. Dread? Uneasiness? Maybe nothing. Maybe you've found the right people for your business—the ones who STAY. And you know what? That's not just luck. It's absolutely attainable for every home care business. I know because I've been in your shoes. After years of leading in-home care and working with countless agencies, I've witnessed firsthand how a staggering 65% turnover rate can drain your energy, deplete your resources, and most critically, compromise the quality of care your clients deserve. 

But here's what excites me: Through my research and experience, I've discovered that 

we've been asking the wrong question! 

Instead of obsessing over why staff leave, 

we need to understand why they stay. 

This insight led to the development of the science-backed KEEPing Culture Model, which emerged from years of industry experience combined with deep research into positive psychology. The model focuses on four essential elements that create environments where team members choose to stay:

Knowledge: How do we connect team members' guiding truths - their core personal values and aspirations - with your company's vision? When there's alignment between individual purpose and organizational mission, we see deeper commitment and engagement.

Engagement: True engagement goes beyond simple job satisfaction. It's about creating environments where team members feel genuinely connected to their work and colleagues. This happens when we tap into their natural talents and energy sources - what I call their "Guiding Genius."

Empowerment: Real empowerment means giving team members both the confidence and tools to take ownership of their roles. It's about creating clear pathways for growth while building trust through meaningful delegation and support.

Partnership: Strong cultures are built on authentic collaborative relationships. This means moving beyond traditional hierarchy to create true partnerships where every team member feels valued and heard in the organization's journey.

Building a Culture of Belonging

When these four elements align, something remarkable happens. Teams begin to pull together naturally, finding meaning and purpose in their daily work. Retention becomes less about preventing turnover and more about nurturing an environment where people genuinely want to stay and grow.

This transformation starts with small, intentional changes in how we communicate, delegate, and engage with our teams. It's about creating consistent practices that reinforce these cultural elements day by day.