WHOLE FOODS MARKET™: LEADERSHIP AND EMPLOYEE RETENT
ION
2
Abstract
Employee retention can be a challenge for Human Resources in today’s busi
ness climate,
especially in retail food service occupations due to long and sometimes unpredic
table hours,
limited benefits, and growth potential to name a few. Despite the obstacles, Whole F
oods
Market has been able to overcome such limitations allowing employees flour
ish and as a result
have set an industry benchmark for reducing voluntary turnover. This case study r
esearch is an
examination of Whole Foods Market CEO John Mackey and his modern approach to leadership
and its effect on employee retention. The purpose of the research is to examine t
he association
between employee retention and modern leadership practices. Primary data w
as collected from
observational field research and qualitative interviews with six Whole Foods
Market personnel
whom currently or have previously held positions throughout various departments within the
company. To identify the perceptions of employees, detailed notes were transcri
bed, collected
and evaluated. The study provided a number of key findings of successful practic
es: (1) establish
a mission and values driven culture; (2) provide a thriving environment in which your emp
loyees
can be their true selves; (3) empower employees by encouraging innovation a
nd dispersed
decision making; (4) offer individual and team incentives for ideal behavior and perf
ormance;
and (5) promote growth opportunities both vertically and laterally within the compa
ny. The
conclusion answered the primary research question and argues for emphasis
on the role of
modern leadership approaches such as servant, values and decentralized leader
ship theory to
improve retention efforts.
Keywords:
John Mackey,
Whole Foods Market, leadership theory, decentralization, food service/
retail industry, human resources, employee retention....