This page will tell you how to overcome being the reason people leave your team. Imagine reading an employee exit form which states that the reason for the employee leaving is you. The employee actually left because you were a poor manager. How would that make you feel? Would that be enough to prompt you to change your attitude towards how you treat your employee’s? Well if it doesn’t, it should. If this has never happened to you, ensure that you don’t let it. Part one explained why people leave their bosses and the main reason is because the employee does not feel valued. The behaviour of the manager is to leave their employees neglected, ignored and bored. So how do you overcome this?
Missed part one? Read it here.
The simple answer, which are two elements of the core areas of a leader I discuss in my book, is to listen to and connect with them. Picture yourself as of one of your employees; you are frustrated and bored because the role that you are in isn’t suited to your abilities. After a few months you voice your concern to your boss and they assure you they will do something about it. A couple of months and ignored emails go by with no change. You have been ignored so you decide to look for another job; not because the company was bad, but because you feel as if you are being undervalued by your boss. This is how a manager treats their employees.
A leader behaves differently. A leader takes the time to listen to the problems of their employees and actively looks for ways to remove their blockers because blockers are barriers to a motivated and effective employee. In listening to their employees they build a connection which leads leading towards trust.
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Nelson Mandela, in his autobiography A Long Walk to Freedom, tells us a story about his father which taught him the importance of listening. Mandela’s father was a Tribal Chief and often allowed Mandela in to the meetings with the other senior tribe members. Mandela recalls how his father spent the majority of the meeting not speaking, but instead listening. He allowed everyone to voice their opinions before concluding with his decision on how to proceed. This story demonstrates how a great leader listens first. Why? Not only to allow the other person to feel valued and important, but to also understand the problems and solve them.
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In taking the lead a great leader takes action to remove the problems their employee faces. By doing this, coupled with listening to their employee, the leader is able to form a connection. A connection built on trust. Trust that the leader will listen to their problems and is honest enough to tell them if they can help.
It is also important to recognise that you cannot solve every problem and some problems are not necessarily problems, more just moans. So as a leader you need to be clear and honest about what you can and cannot do. If you tell someone you cannot do something in the beginning and explain why, they will be understanding because of your honesty. These three key elements of being a leader are behaviours which make your employee feel valued.
So remember, be the boss people want to work for by:
- Building a connection
- Listening to them
- Taking the lead
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How to reference this page
- Toor, J. (2019). Why people leaves bosses, part two? Available at: https://pmgrowth.co/why-people-leave-bosses,-part-two?
Inspirations
- Mandela, N (1994). A long walk to freedom. London: Abacus.