In her TEDx talk, “The Cheat Code to Hiring (and Keeping) Great People,” Shanda Lee unveils transformative strategies for organizations looking to attract and retain top talent. She emphasizes the importance of understanding not just the skills but the unique motivations and values that align with a company’s culture. By prioritizing emotional intelligence and fostering an inclusive environment, Lee argues that employers can create a workplace that resonates with candidates on a deeper level.
Her insightful approach goes beyond traditional hiring practices; it encourages businesses to embrace adaptability and proactive engagement. Lee shares practical tips for creating meaningful connections during the onboarding process, ensuring that new hires feel valued and integrated from the start. Ultimately, she highlights that the key to long-term employee loyalty lies in building authentic relationships and fostering personal growth. This talk is an essential resource for leaders and HR professionals seeking to revolutionize their hiring strategies and cultivate a dynamic workforce.
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Author Video Description
What if the secret to attracting and retaining great people has less to do with perks and policies, and more to do with how a company tells its story, builds its culture, and makes people feel they belong? Many organizations treat hiring and retention as separate challenges, when in reality they are deeply connected.
In this talk, Shanda Lee shares why the same principles used to win customers can also win talent. Drawing from more than 25 years of executive leadership in marketing and culture, she reveals how companies can create stronger brands internally and externally to attract the right people, keep top performers engaged, and build cultures where employees thrive.
Through real-world insight and practical strategies, Shanda challenges leaders to rethink outdated silos and see people strategy as a growth strategy. Because the companies that win tomorrow will be the ones that learn how to market opportunity, lead with purpose, and create workplaces worth staying for. Shanda Lee is Executive Vice President of Marketing at FINFROCK, one of Central Florida’s largest privately held companies and a nationally recognized design-builder. She has built FINFROCK’s brand into an industry leader and preferred employer through strategic marketing, talent acquisition, and retention, earning recognition as one of Orlando’s Best Places to Work. Shanda serves on the Precast Concrete Institute Foundation Board of Trustees, advancing STEM education with universities nationwide, and on the PCI’s Workforce Development Committee, shaping strategies to prepare future construction professionals. A past Orlando Business Journal “Women Who Mean Business” honoree, she also served on the Junior Achievement Board of Directors, expanding financial literacy and work readiness programs, and currently serves on the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity of Seminole/Apopka. With 25+ years of experience, she blends brand strategy, workforce innovation, and community impact.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
About TEDxTalks
TEDx is an international community that organizes TED-style events anywhere and everywhere — celebrating locally-driven ideas and elevating them to a global stage. TEDx events are produced independently of TED conferences, each event curates speakers on their own, but based on TED’s format and rules.
Video “The cheat code to hiring (and keeping) great people | Shanda Lee | TEDxEustis” was uploaded on 09/28/2026 to Youtube Channel TEDx Talks