Intentions from Pat Swan

A recent article in the Investor’s Business Daily featured an article titled “Do Bosses Make Workers Leave?” The article discussed a recent Yahoo Hot.Jobs satisfaction survey. This article certainly did not shed any new light on what it takes to keep valued workers. But it did confirm what human resource professionals and others who work with employee engagement have known for years. “People do not leave jobs, they leave managers.”

Of those responding to the survey, 72% reported that they were open to new jobs in 2008. 43% of those blamed their boss’s management style or lack of mentorship. Although salary and growth potential are important, they take second place to management practices, with respect to what good employees are looking for. Qualities that employees are looking for include fair and sympathetic attitude and ability to make the employee feel valued. Over 70% of respondents said that they prefer a “hands-off’ manager who trusts them to do their job.

How does this report reconcile with the current statistics regarding what has been termed an “epidemic” of “bully bosses?” According to recent research by Zogby, found on Gary Namie’s website, The workdoctor.com, over 50 million people have experienced bullying in the workplace. This translates to lost millions in potential profits. These managers are essentially Trojan Horses within their companies.

Why? Because unhappy, harassed, intimidated employees, are less productive, less engaged, and more likely to leave, get sick, or sabotage company goals. Bully bosses, and bosses with poor management skills, may look good on the outside. Perhaps they get quick results. Perhaps they have an illustrious background. But once you bring them inside, watch out! They begin their destruction one employee at a time, and soon, profits are bleeding out the back door.

The good news is, this dilemma can be detected through employee engagement surveys and management 360’s. Strong policies and good training can help turn around the situation. If you are experiencing poor retention, low morale, increased absenteeism and a rise in medical costs, find the root cause. Identify the Trojan Horses in your corporation. Resolve to have a more productive and profitable workplace in 2008.

Personal Intentions for the month of January

The personality trait or Achilles Heel that most interferes with my success is: ___________________________________________________

This trait impacts my work performance by: ______________________

This trait impacts my personal success by: _______________________

This trait particularly interferes with: _____________________________

When I overcome this Achilles heel I will be able to: _________________

This will improve my health and well being by: ____________________

This will improve my performance at work by: _____________________

The person most impacted by this change will be: _________________

The learned strength that will replace and help me overcome this Achilles heel is: _______________________________________________________

For the next seven days I will focus on developing this learned strength. Every day, I intend to practice one of the following:

1. ____________________________________________________________

2. ____________________________________________________________

3. ____________________________________________________________

4. ____________________________________________________________

5. ____________________________________________________________

Get a year's worth of Intentions, in full color, with attractive pictures and workbook, hard copy or CD, at www.patswan.com.