How Melmark Builds Supervisors Who Retain Staff – Ep. 66

Turnover doesn’t start with direct support professionals—it starts with supervision.

In this episode, host Nate Beers sits down with Helena McGuire from Melmark to unpack why supervisors are the single biggest lever for retention—and how Melmark has intentionally built systems that help supervisors succeed instead of burn out.

Rather than relying on motivation or charisma, Melmark invests in behaviorally grounded supervision systems that make expectations clear, feedback consistent, and performance support sustainable. The result? Stronger teams, better outcomes, and dramatically reduced turnover.

This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation. In this episode, we focus on why supervision matters so much and what most organizations get wrong when trying to “fix turnover.”

Episode Timeline

00:00 – Why supervisors are the real turnover fix
03:45 – The hidden cost of underdeveloped supervisors
08:20 – From good intentions to strong systems
13:10 – What effective supervision actually looks like
18:05 – The revolving door problem
22:40 – Supporting supervisors before burnout
27:15 – Why training alone isn’t enough
32:10 – Setting up Part 2: onboarding and retention

Learn More:
To learn more about Melmark and their mission-driven work across multiple states, visit:
https://www.melmark.org/


Free Upcoming Sessions for IDD Leaders

This episode is part of a broader conversation about building a stronger, more stable workforce.

Nate is collaborating with the University of Minnesota’s Institute on Community Integration (ICI) on an upcoming free virtual series:
Direct Support Leadership Lens: Strategies for a Stronger Workforce

These sessions are designed for leaders who want practical, behaviorally grounded strategies to reduce turnover and support supervisors more effectively.

👉 Learn more and register at: https://iddleader.com

🎧 Be sure to listen to Part 2 (Episode 67), where Helena breaks down Melmark’s onboarding approach and how they’ve achieved just 11% annual turnover.