People Leave Managers

"People leave managers, not companies."

Apparently this is common enough that there's a popular quote about it.

But what's really going on here? Are there really that many "bad" managers?

Let's peel this back a little.

Is it possible that there are managers who are overwhelmed in the role, in over their heads? Is it possible they are working overtime and still barely holding it together?

Is it possible that really, really good employees are being promoted into management positions with little to no training, direction, or support? 🤔

I ask these questions but I already know the answer. I'm sure many of you do, too.

I've had managers demand too much of me, and with a less than favorable attitude. I've had managers demand tasks of me that made no sense. I've had managers flex their authority when it wasn't necessary.

What we don't often see is the demand that's being placed on them by their bosses. We don't see the skipped lunches due to deadlines and stress. Or the sleepless nights. Or the midnight candle as they try their best to prepare for another day ahead of them.

Employees face pressure, stress, and burnout, but so does leadership. Being responsible for the productivity and output of an entire team of people is a big job. Yes, it pays more, but what exactly is the price tag on one's mental and physical well-being?

As an employer you want the best for your business. In order for your business to thrive you need happy, healthy people. You won't have happy, healthy people if they don't have proper guidance and direction because their manager is too burnt out.

When you hire managers and leadership, you're making a big investment. You obviously want a return on that investment. It's not enough to simply move people into those roles. Your full investment needs to include prioritizing the health and wellness of those leaders so you have a much better chance of seeing a return.

When you invest in your leadership, it'll be easier to weed out the "bad" managers. Let's face it, there will always be a few who are just not cut out for human interaction. 😐

But for the rest of them, you need to give them the best opportunity possible to thrive. When your managers thrive, your employees receive the guidance and attention they need. And when your employees do well... Well, you get the picture.

You can't expect a full return on an investment you didn't fully make. So change it.