The ROI of Treating People Well

Treating people well isn’t just “nice”— it’s a people strategy that protects your bottom line and drives growth.

People leave when they don’t feel valued. And turnover is expensive — lost knowledge, lost momentum, and replacement costs that can run 1.5–2x salary.

When people feel valued, they’re more likely to stay. They bring energy, care, and ownership to their work — the very things that drive productivity, innovation, and revenue.

So, what does “treating people well” actually look like?

• Honesty → Be direct, even when it’s hard — delivered with respect.

• Transparency → Share the “why” behind decisions.

• Listening → Ask for input and really listen — and if you can’t act on it, explain why.

This is what builds trust.

And trust isn’t soft — it’s measurable:

• People who trust their leaders are more engaged.

• Engaged people are more productive.

• Productive people stay longer.

Retention, productivity, and engagement aren’t just positive outcomes — they’re what allow a business to grow and sustain. Without them, growth stalls.

That’s the ROI of people strategy: lower turnover costs, higher productivity, stronger teams, higher revenue, and faster, more sustainable growth.