Bosses can either make or break a company’s workforce. Because they are considered the heads of the labor force, managers can have a significant influence on employee retention.
In fact, iHire’s 2020 Talent Retention report stated that 15.7% of employees they had surveyed picked reasons like negative experiences with managers, poor team organization, and unsatisfactory work environment as factors for their decision to resign from their jobs.
It is crucial then for managers from all levels to recognize the traits that help make them great bosses to their employees. Of course, nobody’s perfect. However, everyone has the ability to cultivate certain qualities that can endear them to their teams and can make the workforce more productive and happier. Are you ready to become a better boss? Here are some tips to help.
A good boss sets his expectations
If a manager expects his employees to perform satisfactorily, he must make it known to them. An effective leader lays out clear goals and expectations, and employees can match their performance against those objectives. A poor manager, on the other hand, thinks everyone can perform without knowing what it is they are expected to achieve.
A good boss recognizes talent
Aside from laying out clear and achievable goals, a good boss knows each employee’s weaknesses and strengths, and how to leverage those attributes towards the team’s success. A successful manager also knows how to reward and uphold employees who have contributed to a positive outcome.
Furthermore, a great boss also knows how to reinforce team members who are not performing up to par through coaching and guidance.
A good boss looks out for his team’s welfare
The boss should always prioritize the well-being of his team members. For instance, affordable workers’ compensation insurance is one way to make sure everyone is covered in case of an emergency. If any of their team members are having problems, responsive bosses will always attempt to address the shortfall immediately and do what it takes to bring the team member back in great working shape.
A good boss treats everyone equally
Another ideal quality of a good boss is equality. Managers should never play favorites. This behavior can only alienate other team members, and can actually cause high employee turnover rates. Nobody loves unfair treatment, even those who are in middle or top managerial positions.
If a business, whether small or large, is experiencing problems in employee retention, top management should take a look at the bosses who are closer to the grunts. High resignation rates are not always a bad sign. They’re opportunities for further improvement at the managerial level and a chance that every business should look into.
