Welcome to the Manager Lab, where we explore how managers, not policies, shape the day-to-day systems that retain top talent. This episode breaks down an HBR insight: policies state intent, but systems—meeting rhythms, workload allocation, promotion signals—determine whether high performers stay. You’ll learn four practical actions managers can take now: audit the signals you send, make growth visible, protect top talent from burnout, and design the team experience on purpose.

Retention happens locally. By changing patterns in how work gets done and who gets opportunities, managers can build a system people don’t want to leave. Tune in to turn policy into practice and keep your best people engaged and growing.