There is a big change occurring in corporate culture right now. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics says 47 million people have bid farewell to their company and position over a period of 12 months. What’s driving this trend?

The easy answer is the pandemic.  But there’s more to it than that. Workers have seen that there are other possibilities for work-life balance. They’re exploring different and better options.

One driver of this trend is how they’re treated while at work. Managing a workforce is both an art and a science. Over the years, various management styles have gone in and out of fashion. In the current worker-dominated environment, when the best talent is in high demand, management style matters more than ever. Prospective employees will research everything they can about your company before applying and can find a ton of information online from current and former employees, some of whom are very happy at a job, and others who post negative reviews. What does the talent you need want from management?

Bad Management = Low Retention

A bad boss makes work a stressful, unrewarding experience. But what are the most hated characteristics? A manager who plays favorites, micromanages every task, delivers confusing directions and orders, has a bad temper, and when things go right, takes credit for others’ work should be corrected or replaced.

These managers are wildly unpopular, and rarely, if ever, inspire loyalty or higher levels of production. When things go wrong, they take no responsibility, but place the blame on others, even to the point of recommending an unwarranted firing of your productive team members. It makes sense that these unpleasant bosses are often the reason behind the loss of valued employees. 

Good Management = Teamwork

Certain qualities are admired in every sector, and if you don’t come by them naturally, they can be developed with practice. At a company considered a great place to work managers are respected and admired for exhibiting these traits:

• Considerate. A great manager is considerate, both personally and professionally. The respect for others is evident in how communication is delivered, the ability to listen and understand, and how direction or orders are presented. 

• Visionary. Achieving milestones starts with inspiration. A great boss has a vision for the future of the team, the company, and has a strategy to execute the vision, communicated in a manner that inspires creativity, teamwork, and higher levels of production. 

• Decisive. The best managers are, indeed, the smartest person in the room – but they don’t flaunt it. They are decisive without being authoritarian, and willing to listen to input.

• Coaching. A good manager is watching over the team members, and when an employee is struggling, coaches them to become better at what they do.

• Acknowledges the work of others. A great manager recognizes and acknowledges the work of team members and inspires his team even higher levels of production.

• Kindness. A kind manager is far more effective than a bombastic, loud, demanding boss. Kindness is not weakness – it is the quality of being warmhearted, considerate, and friendly.

• Honesty. An effective manager is honest and open with employees, garnering respect.

• Builds collaborative teams. Teams that collaborate produce superior outcomes, and a great manager builds effective teams of employees.

At an amazing workplace the culture is inclusive and caring. Employees feel cared for, secure, and inspired by the actions of their management team.