The latest reboot of the Gallup insight that at least 50% of people who leave their jobs quit their managers comes from the voice of Travis Bradberry, an author and professional focused on emotional intelligence.
In his article, 9 Things Managers Do That Make Good Employees Quit (Businessinsider.com, March 20, 2016), Mr. Bradberry puts forth an inarguable list of some key triggers that lead to a loss of engagement and eventually departure altogether. It’s important to be reminded that it’s your best performing people who CAN leave and do.
Although some of Mr. Bradberry's solutions strike me as a bit thin, I do agree that managers can and, in fact, must act to make a difference in the level of sustained engagement and the subsequent reduction in unwanted attrition.
Mr. Bradberry counsels avoidance – the things not to do. Since I'm more of a believer in the affirmative – things you can and should do—his list has been reworked as follows:
- Support work/life balance – flexibility is desirable and helps people work a sustainable schedule
- Recognize contributions, commitment, and reward good work
- Care about your employees – and tell them and show them you care
- Hire and promote the right people
- Enable and encourage people to pursue their passions
- Develop people's skills – spread the wealth of “go to” people, and much more
- Look for and leverage every chance to engage their creativity
- Challenge people intellectually – boredom kills engagement
The SINGLE best thing you can do to reduce the risk and reality of the loss of engagement and eventual departure of your most valued contributors: have regular, intentional conversations with them.
Commonly called one-on-one's, these weekly or bi-weekly 30-45 minute opportunities to check in on how your people are feeling, where they may be challenged, and what you can do to better support their success, are no cost, low effort, high yield ways to make a difference – for them and for you.
Ask questions, listen intently, seek clarification, offer possibilities, agree, and move on. Simple, but not easy. Accessible, when you stop making excuses. High impact, and totally up to you. Wait and lose. Act now and be better.
The power of dialogue; use it!
