By Scott G. Smith, Director of Human Capital Client Services at Herbein + Company, Inc.
A feature piece from our Fall 2025 issue of the Lancaster Thriving Publication
Attracting and retaining top talent isn’t just an HR challenge; it’s a strategic imperative. Business owners and executives across Lancaster County workplaces feel the pressure of an ultra-competitive talent market: turnover is costly, recruitment is time-consuming, and the best candidates have options. So, what separates thriving workplaces from those that struggle?
At Herbein + Company, we’ve partnered with Energage—the research firm behind the Top Workplaces program—to help organizations measure and strengthen the employee experience. Over the past year, Energage collected data from more than 7,000 organizations and nearly 2 million employees across 17 industries. The findings are clear: thriving workplaces are built on fairness, but flourish when employees feel respected, supported, and aligned with the company’s mission and values.
The Foundation: Fair Value
Before an organization can become a top workplace, it must meet the table stakes. Employees need to perceive they are fairly valued. This includes competitive pay, meaningful benefits, and flexibility to juggle the complexities of work and life. But it’s not just about the numbers—how compensation is communicated and administered also matters. Transparency and consistency build trust.
When employees perceive fairness, they’re more likely to stay. When they don’t, they start looking elsewhere.
The Differentiators: What Drives Engagement
Once the foundation is in place, four key drivers separate thriving workplaces from the rest:
- Respect and Support
Employees thrive when they feel their manager genuinely cares—not just about performance, but about them as people. Appreciation, inclusion, and open-mindedness are essential. When employees feel seen and heard, they contribute more. - Growth and Development
Thriving workplaces invest in their people. That means providing opportunities to learn, grow, and reach their potential. Whether through training or stretch assignments, employees want to know their future matters. - Alignment with Purpose
People want their work to matter. When employees understand and believe in the company’s direction and values, they’re more engaged. They don’t just show up, they show up with purpose. - Empowerment to Execute
Operational friction is a silent killer of engagement. Thriving workplaces foster strong communication, collaboration, and efficient processes. When employees are empowered to do their jobs well, they feel ownership and pride.
The Payoff: Engagement That Builds Impact
When organizations invest in what matters most to their people, the return is exponential. Employees become more committed, more willing to go the extra mile, and more likely to advocate for the company.
A thriving workplace becomes a beacon, a “city on a hill” business that shines in the community. These companies attract talent not just because of what they offer, but because of who they are. They’re known for treating people right, building something lasting, and aligning business success with human dignity.
For family and privately held businesses, this is especially powerful. Your name is on the door. Your values shape the culture. And your success is measured not just in profits, but in the lives you impact, employees, customers, and the community alike.
What This Means for Business Leaders
If you’re leading a privately held or family-owned business, you likely carry a deep sense of responsibility—not just for results, but for people. You want to build something lasting. Something that reflects your values.
But even the most committed leaders can feel the strain. Maybe your best people are burning out. Maybe growth is outpacing your structure. Maybe turnover is draining time and morale. Or maybe culture feels more like confusion than cohesion.
These aren’t just HR issues; they’re leadership signals. And they’re telling you it’s time to take a closer look at the employee experience.
Thriving workplaces don’t happen by accident. They’re built through intentional leadership—by aligning values with action, listening to your people, and creating an environment where employees want to stay, grow, and contribute.
In a world where talent is scarce and change is constant, the organizations that thrive will be those that lead with clarity, care, and conviction—the ones that shine as a light in their industries and communities.
not secure