Hiring might be a challenge, but the real problem? Retention. According to Claudia St. John, founder and CEO of The Workplace Advisors, companies that focus solely on recruitment without investing in leadership development are missing the mark.
Throughout her career, Claudia has guided print companies and other businesses to navigate workplace challenges so they can grow. She works closely with multiple print organizations to offer the consulting and training necessary to foster both productivity and a healthy workplace culture.
In this interview, Claudia tackles one of the biggest truths in workforce management: “People don’t leave jobs; they leave managers.” And when employees have more options than ever, leaders can’t afford to get this wrong.
So what’s the missing piece? Empathy.
“Empathy is a magic word,” Claudia said. It’s not just about being nice — it’s about understanding your employees, recognizing their challenges and creating a culture where they want to stay. That begins with training managers, particularly in industries like print, where traditional leadership styles don’t always match the expectations of today’s workforce.
Beyond leadership, Claudia highlights other workforce shifts: automation, flexible scheduling, and Gen Z’s work preferences. She also makes it clear that waiting for the old hiring market to return is a losing strategy: “If you’re wondering when people are coming back, they already have. You have to go out and get them.”
