Stop Buying Swag: Build an Employee Retention Culture Instead (with JC Hite)
June 1, 2026
21 min
Episode overview
People don’t leave companies. They leave cultures where they don’t feel valued. In this episode, Dr. William Attaway talks with JC Hite, entrepreneur, speaker, and co-owner of Appreciation at Work, about how intentional appreciation helps leaders recruit, retain, and build stronger teams. JC shares why many leaders miss the mark by showing appreciation in the way they prefer to receive it, instead of learning what actually matters to each employee. From public awards that backfire to company gifts that only resonate with a small percentage of people, this conversation explores how leaders can stop wasting time and money on recognition that does not connect.
key takeaways
- Appreciation plays a major role in recruiting and retaining great people.
- Leaders often appreciate others in the way they personally prefer, not the way employees receive it best.
- Rewards and recognition are not always the same as meaningful appreciation.
- Public awards, swag, and gifts can miss the mark when they are not personalized.
- Appreciation can impact retention, productivity, referrals, and long-term business stability.
About the Host
Leading expert on workplace appreciation with 30+ years of experience in leadership development.
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