Module 3/4 28 min
Choosing a high-leverage intervention
Step 1 / 2·The leverage ladder
0/2 steps done
Learning objectives — after this module you will:
- Rank intervention types by leverage
- Understand why the easiest intervention is the weakest
- Choose an intervention point that matches your authority
Learn ~14 min
The leverage ladder
Know which tier you are intervening at.
One problem, five tiers of intervention
| Tier | Intervention for first-year attrition |
|---|---|
| Parameters | Raise starting pay by 10% |
| Delays | Survey new joiners at day 30 rather than waiting for the exit interview |
| Information flow | Send every line leader their own team's attrition rate, monthly |
| Rules | Put 90-day retention into the line leader's appraisal targets |
| Goals | Change recruitment's goal from 'fill the role' to 'still there after 12 months' |
Information flow is the most accessible tier with real leverage
You usually cannot change someone else's goals or targets. But showing people their own numbers, regularly, often changes behaviour without any new rule at all.