Leading Through Change: Recognition, Retention & Culture for Marketing Teams with Rachel Weeks

#273 Leadership | Matt is joined by Rachel Weeks, a veteran B2B marketing leader with over 20 years of experience guiding companies through acquisitions, layoffs, and tech disruption. Rachel has led both corporate and field marketing teams and is passionate about recognition-driven team cultures that retain and empower top talent.

Matt and Rachel cover:
How to build a recognition strategy that actually improves retention (without needing a big budget or fancy platform)
Why employee motivation dips during times of stress, layoffs, or AI disruption and what great leaders do differently
The role of marketing in internal culture: from branding the program to building peer-driven engagement

Whether you’re managing a small team or leading an entire department, this episode is packed with practical insights to help you build a culture where marketers feel valued, motivated, and ready to stay.

Timestamps
(00:00) – Intro
(03:48) – Rachel’s background and leadership lens
(06:18) – What actually makes a recognition program work
(08:48) – How marketing supports internal culture building
(11:48) – Recognition during org changes, stress, and funding rounds
(14:48) – The impact of AI on morale and motivation
(18:18) – What happens when recognition disappears
(20:18) – The “10 minutes by Friday” habit
(22:48) – Easy, no-budget ways to recognize team members
(25:48) – Performance-driven vs. values-driven recognition
(30:53) – Monetary vs. non-monetary rewards (and what people really want)
(34:23) – Recognition vs. pay raises: what the data says
(38:23) – Why people leave even when they’re paid well
(42:23) – How to ask for (and give) better feedback
(47:23) – Using AI to create space for strategic work
(54:23) – Final thoughts on leadership, retention, and culture

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What is The Exit Five CMO Podcast (Hosted by Dave Gerhardt)?
Dave Gerhardt (Founder of Exit Five, former CMO) chats with top marketing leaders and CMOs. Join 5,000+ members in our private community at exitfive.com.