The Retention Trap: Why Great Talent Leaves—and What Empowered Leaders Do Differently

What if your greatest competitive edge isn’t in your product—but in your people? In this episode of The Next Interview, host Doland White sits down with Mark Peters, CEO of Butterball Farms and author of The Source and the soon-to-be-released The Retention Trap. Together, they tackle a fundamental shift in leadership thinking: stop measuring turnover, and start investing in human potential. Mark shares how inheriting a toxic culture led him to redefine leadership—from ripping up employee handbooks at 30, to launching a nationally recognized employer network. This episode is packed with real talk about trust, talent, and building a purpose-driven business. Here’s what you’ll take away: • Why promoting employees to other companies can be a growth strategy, not a loss • How to build trust without traditional command-and-control • The ROI of reducing “unplanned turnover” • Why human capital is your hidden balance sheet • How to think beyond competition and build a true employer ecosystem Mark Peters has led Butterball Farms since 1995, transforming it into a mission-driven business focused on enriching lives. His insights challenge the status quo and offer bold, actionable strategies for any leader ready to evolve. Meet Mark: https://butterballfarms.com/ On Amazon: The SOURCE: Using the Power of Collaboration to Stabilize Your Workforce and Impact Your Community The Retention Trap: Stop Measuring Turnover, Start Measuring Talent Investment Follow, share, and leave a review. If you know a leader ready to think differently—send them this episode. It might just change everything.