People leave Bosses, not Companies

In a poll carried out by Gallup Organization, involving over a million employees and 80,000 managers, it was revealed that “what most employees want, more than anything else is a good boss”. This was the most influential factor affecting both employee retention and performance. Curt Coffman, former lead researcher at Gallup says that “If you have a turnover problem look first to your managers,” he asserts. “People leave managers, not companies.” This was reiterated by Marcus Buckingham (author of ‘First Things First’ together with Curt Coffman) when he said "So much money has been spent at the challenge of keeping good people - in the form of better pay, better perks and better training - when, in the end, turnover is mostly a superior-subordinate relationship issue." Therefore if you have a turnover problem in your company, look first to your managers.

I would think that of all the factors that create stress at the workplace, the bad boss is probably the worst, because this factor impacts the employee directly on a daily basis. Employees who are well managed can forgive many of their company’s shortcomings but when they are badly managed, the result will usually be unhappiness, reduced efficiency and eventually high staff turnover. Different superiors can stress out employees in different ways, from being a control freak to being too pushy, to being too critical etc.

All superiors must therefore take a cold, hard look at themselves and answer these questions as objectively as possible:

a. Do I demonstrate care and concern to my staff?
b. Are my staff clear about my work expectations and objectives?
c. Do I create a work environment where my staff are able to produce their best?
d. When was the last time I recognized or appreciated any of my staff?
e. Am I objective enough to receive honest feedback about my performance and behavior as a manager from my staff?

An objective answer to all these questions would most certainly provide you with valuable feedback as to how you are managing your subordinates. Importantly, take decisive action and ‘CHANGE’ so as to become a better superior. You will become a happier person when your staff are happy with you!!! Importantly, happy people are more productive, efficient and loyal!!