I wish I could articulate a definitive guide on how and why, but it's just a way of being and for whatever reason it works here.
I'm very open about the business needs and my own aspirations. I also know I'm just babysitting the business until the next person comes along. That may be a member of the existing team taking over from me (MBO) or it may be someone new, but until that happens the business must continue to provide security for everyone in it and be enjoyable. I don't have a pension, my business is my pension and at some point I want to retire and I don't pretend any different.
Share incentives (options) are in the business that several of the team have, I'm happy to not own all the cake. Maybe that makes a difference too.
I also don't mind when people want to move on, I just want them to leave the organisation having learned new skills to improve their personal career opportunities and having enjoyed their time here. I don't mind if I'm training people to be better for another company in the future, if I cannot provide them with what they want from a career no point nailing them down. Let them grow where the sun is brightest and the soil is most fertile for them. When I am doing staff appraisal and talking about their personal development goals, I talk about what will be best for them as an individual. What will give them opportunities for their future, irrespective of whether that is in BDG or somewhere else.
It is actually pretty rare for someone to leave, but when that has happened I've always (bar one time) been excited for them and keen to hear about where they going and what they will be doing, and am still in touch with everyone including from past businesses I've sold.
My job is to look after everyone here, ensuring they have all the tools, training and support they need to do carry out their role to the best of their abilities. I then let them get on with it with coaching and guidance where I can or buy in skills where I cannot. Without having any goals to aim towards they won't know whether they are on the right path so I am a big supporter of goals but they need to mean something. Both their own personal goals for them as an individual and the business goals should all be aligned.
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