​There’s no escaping the Love Island media machine which is currently firing on all cylinders again this summer, filling our TV and social media screens with Insta-famous bikini-clad babes and guys with ripped bodies and amazingly chiseled jawlines, all with smiles white enough to light up the villa.

Love it or hate it, there are a surprising number of lessons we can learn from the antics and drama in the Majorcan villa that are applicable to attracting and retaining talent. In a competitive talent landscape where people have more choices than ever before, you might want to consider some of these Love Island lessons and add them to your game plan.

1. Grafting: Attraction Takes Effort

If you’ve never seen Love Island, it’s a dating show where contestants ‘graft’—that is, put in serious effort—to win over the person they’re interested in. Their motivation? A potential £50,000 prize and, more importantly, a fast track to influencer fame.

But things rarely stay the same for long in the villa. New arrivals, unexpected challenges, and frequent ‘re-couplings’ mean relationships are always at risk. Sound familiar?

In the world of work, your employees are being grafted too—by competitors and recruiters offering better perks, flexible working, or promises of progression. Hybrid working makes it even easier for employees to sneak in a “virtual chat” without leaving their desks.

Takeaway: If you’re not actively engaging and rewarding your people, don’t be surprised if their heads are turned. Retention requires effort. Are you offering enough to keep your team loyal?

2. Building Real Connections

In the villa, it’s all about who’s ‘got a connection’. Without that spark, couples don’t last. The same goes for your team.

You might be focused on hiring the best talent, but if you neglect your existing employees while giving all the attention to newcomers, you risk alienating your most loyal people.

Employees won’t always be upfront when they’ve ‘got the ick’ or are quietly exploring other opportunities. But if they don’t feel connected, listened to, or valued, they’re more likely to re-couple with a new employer who’s been laying it on thick with promises of better pay, flexibility, or development.

Takeaway: Don’t take loyalty for granted. Stay close to your people, understand their needs, and keep the connection strong.

Not my usual type on paper

With talent shortages affecting many sectors, hiring managers need to move beyond their ‘usual type on paper’. Limiting your recruitment to candidates who tick every box on a traditional job description could mean missing out on a wider, more diverse talent pool.

Similarly, could you be overlooking your existing workforce? Upskilling or reskilling current employees might be faster and more cost-effective than leaving roles unfilled for months.

And when advertising roles, ask yourself: is your job ad full of jargon or overly focused on company needs? Candidates want to know what’s in it for them.

Takeaway: Be open-minded about potential. Widening your criteria can uncover hidden gems who bring fresh thinking and valuable skills to your business.

4. Stay Loyal, Stay Coupled

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In Love Island, loyalty is tested constantly. Contestants face temptations in the form of Casa Amor – a shake-up that often results in dramatic re-couplings. In the workplace, loyalty is also fragile. One bad day, a lack of recognition, or a better offer elsewhere can be enough to make someone reconsider.

With job vacancies outpacing available talent, the best employers are those who stay close to their people, adapting to their evolving expectations and creating environments where people genuinely want to stay.

Takeaway: You might not have to survive Casa Amor, but you do need to give your employees a reason to remain coupled up with your business.

5. Need Help Coupling Up?

We might not bring the sunshine or drama of Love Island, but Greenbean’s Client Solutions team does know how to spot the right match, especially when they’re not your usual type on paper.

Whether you’re struggling to attract new talent, retain top performers, or just want a fresh perspective on your recruitment strategy, we’ll put in the graft. From bespoke hiring campaigns to long-term workforce planning, we’ll help you build meaningful connections that last.

Book your free consultation today – fill in the short form below and one of our experts will be in touch to explore how we can support your talent goals.

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