Actually...it is a popularity contest!

 

There’s a well-known adage that says ‘…people join companies and leave managers…’

Like most sayings, there is more than a little bit of truth in it as these statements are a compilation of experiences gathered over time.

As the leader, what type of attitude are you projecting; what kind of environment are you creating; are you someone that you would want to work for?

It is not a matter of being everyone’s BFF.  In fact, it is more often not being anyone’s friend at all.  But if your employees fall into one of three categories you have a serious problem.

·        Some are former employees who left because of the workplace that you have allowed to develop.

·        Some are people who have given up on you and have disconnected to the point where you no longer get their best and they are actively looking to leave.

·        Some are just unhappy and unproductive but willing to fly under the radar and collect a cheque.

Regardless of which group they are in, they all have something in common.  They don’t like you as their boss…they just have different ways of expressing it.

The most common complaints that these people would express about you include:

1.     You do not show proper respect for the contributions people make.

2.     You fail to provide clear expectations and objectives.

3.     You fail to invest in the training and equipping of individuals.

4.     You are short of encouragement and long on criticism.

5.     You are complacent and self-serving.

6.     You have built a toxic workplace.

7.     You cannot be trusted.

8.     You fail to lead.

No person in leadership can survive these comments.  Today’s employees are smart and they have transportable skills.  They are less likely to go to HR to express their frustrations because it is easier to just leave and find another job. 

You really only get one shot at attracting and retaining top talent.  Unless you can truly project a personality and character that gives a damn, you have no likelihood of success. Being ‘popular’ means that others respect you and want to work for you towards shard success.  Being that person who projects ‘my way or the highway’ will result in your best staff choosing the latter more times than not.  And those that don’t make that decision are probably not the ones you had hoped to keep.

Would you work for you…?