I’ve trained over 15,000 leaders. From Fortune 500 executives to franchise managers, one thing has become crystal clear: many leaders are missing the most critical skills for engagement and retention.

And here’s the kicker: they don’t even know it.

In the past year, I’ve watched talented leaders lose top performers, not because of a lack of vision or business strategy, but because they overlooked the one leadership habit employees say makes or breaks their loyalty.

The 2025 National Workplace Trends Study confirms it:

• 36% of employees say the most convincing reason they’d stay at a job is when their manager ensures they get credit for their work.
• 57% say they’d leave if they can’t trust leadership.
• 52% would take a pay cut to work for a leader they respect.
  
  

The Three Blind Spots:
Leaders think they’re communicating enough recognition, trust, and feedback. Employees say otherwise.

Here are 3 Blindspots Leaders Need to Fix ASAP:

Blindspot #1 – Recognition isn’t optional…it’s a retention strategy.

Many leaders “assume” people know they’re valued. They don’t. Employees need consistent, visible, and specific acknowledgment. In fact, recognition paired with actionable feedback was one of the top leadership qualities in theNational Workplace Trends Study.

Actionable Strategy: Implement a weekly recognition rhythm.

• Make recognition specific: “Your problem-solving on X project saved us Y hours.”
• Tie it to company values so employees see the bigger purpose.
• Deliver it both privately (to affirm personally) and publicly (to build peer trust).
  
  

Blindspot #2 – Trust isn’t automatically given; it’s built in micro moments.

Leaders often focus on “big picture” trust, such as keeping promises and showing integrity. But employees measure trust in the micro-moments:

• Do you credit them for their ideas in meetings?
• Do you take responsibility for mistakes, or shift blame?
• Do you actively listen without rushing them?
  
  

Actionable Strategy: Create a “trust checklist” for leaders.

• Acknowledge contributions in group settings.
• Admit when you don’t know something.
• Respond to team feedback within 48 hours.
  
  

Blindspot #3 – Feedback without recognition feels like criticism.

Our National Workplace Trends Study revealed that 36% of employees rank constructive feedback paired with recognition as their top leadership need. When feedback is delivered without appreciation, it’s received as judgment, not growth.

Actionable Strategy: Use the “Praise-Progress” approach.

• Start with praise that highlights a specific strength.
• Address the growth opportunity with clarity and support.
• Close with encouragement about their potential and the next milestone.
  
  

Why This Matters Now:

In a market where 42% of Gen Z is already looking for their next role, and nearly 1 in 3 Americans wouldn’t recommend their current workplace, leaders cannot afford this blind spot. If your team doesn’t feel recognized, trusted, and developed, they’ll leave for a leader who makes them feel that way.

This Week’s Challenge:

Pick one person on your team who hasn’t received meaningful, specific recognition from you in the past two weeks. Deliver it today, and tie it to your company values. Watch what happens.

Want to eliminate leadership blind spots and build a Destination Workplace™? Visithttps://destinationworkplace.com or to book me to speak at your next conference, go tohttps://betsyallenmanning.com.

About Betsy: Featured on FOX, CBS, NBC, and ABC, Betsy Allen-Manning is a leadership keynote speaker, workplace culture expert, and best-selling author who helps executives and HR leaders strengthen employee engagement, improve retention, and prepare for the future of work. Betsy’s thought leadership and original research in the National Workplace Trends Study and the Destination Workplace™ framework equips organizations with data-driven strategies to build cultures where people apply, engage, contribute, and stay. She is also the founder of an award-winning company known for providing top leadership training in Dallas, and is recognized for advancing leadership excellence and driving workplace culture transformations worldwide.