How to Build Elevated Teams That Stay: The Tough Talk Approach to Culture and Retention
If your team feels stuck in a cycle of hiring and losing talent, this episode is your blueprint for building elevated teams that last.
In this Episode 174 of The Build Zone Podcast, we tackle one of the biggest challenges for leaders today: how to build teams that not only perform but also stick around. Guest Traci Austin, Chief Talent Officer at Elevated Talent Consulting, brings a fresh, no-nonsense perspective on company culture, defining it as “the behavior you allow and do not allow inside your organization.”
You’ll hear how Traci’s Tough Talk Audit helps leaders uncover what’s really behind workplace frustrations. She shares the surprising story of a company battling an 89% turnover rate in the first 90 days and how the fix wasn’t in flashy perks, but in rebuilding the hiring and onboarding process from the ground up.
This isn’t just theory. Traci gives you practical ways to elevate your leadership, engage your people, and turn chronic complaints into fuel for improvement. Whether you’re leading a small crew or a growing department, this episode will help you transform your culture, strengthen trust, and build a team you’re proud to lead.
What You’ll Learn:
[00:10:24] Why culture isn’t about posters or mission statements, it’s about the behaviours you let slide
[00:12:19] Learn the step-by-step process for uncovering what’s really behind your team’s biggest frustrations
[00:13:40] Find out how one company turned an 89% early turnover rate into a retention win
[00:14:15] How reframing a gripe as a “poorly worded request” changes everything
[00:16:40] What to look for in new hires so they stay and thrive—long after the honeymoon phase
[00:20:12] How to shift your team from problem-spotting to problem-solving
[00:25:07] Why solutions designed with your team get more buy-in and better results
[00:30:54] How clarity from day one creates stronger, more self-reliant teams
[00:31:04] Why keeping your best people can fuel growth faster than constant recruiting
Quotes That Hit Hard:
“Culture is the behavior you allow and do not allow inside of your organization.” – Traci Austin
“Every complaint is just a poorly worded request—if you dig deeper, you’ll uncover the real issue.” – Traci Austin
“If you want to build elevated teams, stop tolerating what’s tearing them down.” – Traci Austin
Actions You Can Take Today:
- Run a Tough Talk Session: List your team’s top complaints and identify the underlying requests.
- Map the First 90 Days: Identify gaps in onboarding that could be costing you talent.
- Define Your Non-Negotiables: Decide as a leader what you will and won’t tolerate.
- Involve the Team: Invite your people to co-create solutions for recurring challenges.
- Measure Early Retention: Track turnover at 30, 60, and 90 days to catch problems early.
About Traci Austin:
Traci Austin is the Founder and CEO of Elevated Talent Consulting, where she partners with contractor businesses to retain top talent, develop field-ready leaders, and create thriving workplaces that attract quality hires through culture, not gimmicks. Having grown up in the field herself, she truly understands the unique challenges and dynamics of trade-based organizations. With over two decades of human resources expertise focused on these industries, she empowers leaders to lead with greater impact, efficiency, and purpose. Traci also hosts The People Strategy Podcast, which has produced 214 episodes delivering actionable leadership insights for industries often overlooked in mainstream business conversations.
Brought to You By:
This episode is made possible by the support of Optiline Enterprises and DECCO.
Optiline Enterprises specializes in high-volume residential building and retail exteriors, combining family values with strong growth to deliver optimum performance, quality, and customer service.
DECCO has been a trusted name in construction, maintenance, and critical equipment handling since 1934, serving leading biopharmaceutical, technology, and industrial clients throughout New England.
