The Power of Hiring and Keeping Great People

Richard Branson once said:
“Look for the best in people. Get a wonderful team of people around you who believe in what you do. Train them well enough that they don’t want to leave. This is how you succeed.”

I couldn’t agree more.

In recruitment, I see first-hand how the strength of a business isn’t found in its balance sheets, brand campaigns or office fit outs, it’s found in its people. The organisations that thrive are the ones that take Branson’s advice seriously: they hire well, they nurture, and they retain.

Leadership as a Platform for Others

Simon Sinek recently wrote, “Leadership is not a journey to rise in the ranks. Leadership is a journey to help those around us rise.”

This resonates strongly in the recruitment and retention space. Too often, businesses focus on filling roles rather than cultivating careers. But when leaders step back and see their responsibility as enabling their people to rise through professional development, trust, and support they create workplaces that not only attract talent but hold onto it.

Here in Australia, where competition for skilled professionals is fierce (particularly in regional and remote locations), retention can be even more critical than recruitment. Securing a top candidate is just the beginning but keeping them engaged, supported, and inspired is what creates long-term organisational success.

Recruitment and Retention Go Hand in Hand

In my work, I often remind clients that recruitment without retention is a revolving door. Yes, attracting the right people matters, but what happens after they walk through the door is just as important. Branson’s words highlight three key pillars:

• Look for the best in people. Recruitment isn’t about checking boxes; it’s about identifying potential, values alignment, and genuine passion.
• Get a team who believe in what you do. Culture fit is not about sameness; it’s about shared purpose. When people buy into your mission, they contribute beyond the job description.
• Train them well enough they don’t want to leave. Professional growth is retention’s strongest currency. Organisations that invest in training, mentoring, and leadership development don’t just keep people longer, they build loyalty.

Why This Matters Now

Recent articles across the Australian business press have made it clear: retention is emerging as a critical challenge. Reports point to increased turnover rates and rising expectations from employees for flexibility, career progression, and meaningful work. For regional and remote employers, the stakes are even higher once you’ve invested in relocating an executive or specialist, you can’t afford to lose them because they didn’t feel supported.

That’s why recruitment in 2025 and into 2026 must be viewed through a holistic lens. It’s not simply about filling vacancies; it’s about creating a workplace where people want to stay and grow.

Final Thoughts

As a recruiter, I’ve seen the difference between organisations that treat recruitment as a transaction and those that see it as the foundation of culture. The latter are the ones that embody Branson and Sinek’s philosophies as they recognise that success isn’t about individuals rising, it’s about lifting the whole team.  These are the clients that we focus on working with!

So, the question for every business leader is this: Are you hiring just to fill a role, or are you building a team that will believe in you, grow with you, and ultimately stay with you?

Eva Grabner
Managing Director
Elite Executive Pty Ltd
www.eliteexecutive.com.au
Cairns | Brisbane | Darwin | Townsville

Eva has amassed over 17 years of experience in the executive and professional recruitment industry and is the sole proprietor of Elite Executive, a thriving executive recruitment firm based in Queensland. As a highly professional and driven Managing Director and Principal Recruiter, she brings a wealth of recruitment expertise across a diverse range of industries. Her background also includes executive leadership and senior management roles on a global scale, showcasing her robust operational acumen.