On December 7th we remember the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. It caught our defenses totally off guard, and the result was disastrous.
Leaders everywhere tell me they are caught off guard by associates leaving them. Here are some of the comments from those same leaders, (and my replies):
I didn’t even see that coming, they didn’t give me a warning (did you pull your head out of your own… stuff to really see what was going on?)
I have been meeting regularly with everyone on my team, using the mandatory performance review process (do you do that from your head or from your heart?)
I reward them with monetary increases when they earn it (there is some low hanging fruit)
They understand what it takes to be successful (do they really?)
They just weren’t a good fit (keep telling yourself that- why did you hire them then?
My suspicion is that their associates do not know where they stand with their leaders, how their leaders really feel towards them. Do you ask your team for feedback? Here are some great questions for a leader to get answered:
Are you comfortable confiding in me? Giving me honest feedback?
When was the last time I said, “Thank you”?
How often do I admit, “I don’t know”?
When was the last time I asked you, “How are you doing”?
Am I inadvertently bruising the spirit or obstructing the performance of the people I am responsible for?
Have I stopped hiring people better than I am?
Do I stop to talk, or better yet, listen?
Have I made it possible for this department to succeed after I leave?
Do you understand how I wish to be measured?
Take that in for a minute.
If you really want the answers to these questions, ask. If you don’t, don’t ask. Keep your head buried in the sand, Ostrich. You may run the risk of not being aware of brewing dissent.
So, the number one reason for turnover is perceived or real apathy on the part of the leader towards their team. "I don’t care" breeds I don’t care attitudes with your team. Turnover is costly and paying people to stay is expensive. Caring really doesn’t cost much at all. While we are on the subject of free gifts for your team, here are some from Max DePree, author of Leadership is an Art and Leadership Jazz.
Space
Opportunity
Challenge
Clarity
Authenticity
Meaning
Responsibility
Conscience
Photo Credits: ID 124534048 © Andrey Popov | Dreamstime.com
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