What would it take for you to leave your job? Let’s say it is not a bad job…you’re not under-employed, the money is sufficient, environment is nice and the people for the most part are pleasant. You’re in your element work-wise and have some security in a still shaky job market. Why go? The answer may not be surprising.
According to recent surveys from firms such as Randstad and Gallup, the top reason people leave their job is because of their manager. Bad management, bad leadership, lost opportunities. This reinforces my overall leadership philosophy highlighted in my last post, The D Theory. I have also seen direct proof of this in action over the last week.
An HR Director I know recently left her job. The opportunity sounds amazing – a founding partner in a new tech startup. The ability to build a company from the ground up. Who wouldn’t want a chance at something like that even if there is a high potential risk of failure? In further discussion, this colleague actually enjoyed her job as it fit in perfectly with her skills and primary passion. However, the decision in her mind was as easy as flicking off a light switch. When the chance came her way, she chose in about a nanosecond. I, too would probably have made the move, but might have taken at least five minutes. Why so fast, I asked? It was because of her boss. He was a major ass. A micro-manager, who had such a low level of trust of his people that he demanded to be copied on every eMail without fail. Every decision was questioned, and most were overridden.
In that case, the question immediately changed from why did you go to why did it take a nanosecond? I would have been out of there faster than a neutrino riding a laser. What makes someone like her old boss tick? Power. Control. Low self-esteem. Are these kind of traits personality or behavioral disorders? Yes. The truth is that anyone who acts like that and treats people in such a stupid way has no business being in close proximity to other humans. Maybe dog fighting or cock fighting would be better professions. Something where the stick is the only motivating factor, and there are no such things as carrots.
If you are one of these kind of managers (using the word as loosely as possible), I have a simple message – you are going to lose. There is a likelihood you may win a few battles, but you will undoubtedly lose the war. And, when the job market is vigorous enough that people won’t feel the need to stay for the paycheck, the end will be near. Because somebody higher up is going to start looking at the real numbers and real cost of your siege mentality. Low productivity, high turnover and even higher expenses to the bottom line will seal your fate.
There is some good news. It can all be turned around. Make the decision to be a better person, and a real leader. You like control? Do something now before the decisions are taken away from you. The people who left and succeeded are the only proof you need that your strategy is not working; soon you may not be either.
HR Rebellion 