Great Lakes Wire

As widely acknowledged, employees leave bosses, not organizations. A Gallup poll of over a million U.S. workers found that 75% of people who voluntarily quit their jobs did so because of their boss.

A recent article on FastCompany.com outlines three key traits to being a likable boss: clear communication, compassionate leadership, and setting realistic expectations.

Clear Communication

Clear communication is a cornerstone of effective leadership. Employees seek transparency from their bosses—not just directives, but an understanding of the vision, direction, and priorities of the team. Articulating the “why” behind decisions is essential for alignment and motivation.

A good leader sets a clear foundation by defining roles, tasks, and expectations. Employees need to know what success looks like to align their efforts appropriately. Feedback should be regular, constructive, and actionable, fostering an environment where continuous learning and improvement are encouraged. Moreover, using plain language builds trust as employees appreciate authenticity and simplicity. Even difficult messages, when delivered transparently and empathetically, are better received and understood.

Compassionate Leadership

Today’s workplace is fraught with stress and disengagement. According to the Gallup State of the Global Workplace 2023 Report, 59% of employees are disengaged, with many experiencing significant daily stress. This disengagement contributes to high turnover rates, with over half of workers actively seeking new job opportunities.

To counteract this trend, compassionate leadership is essential. Good bosses show genuine care for their team’s well-being through regular check-ins and empathetic support. Understanding and addressing employees’ challenges helps in building a supportive work environment. Asking meaningful questions and showing sincere interest in employees’ responses fosters a sense of being valued.

Human-centered leadership prioritizes people over tasks, recognizing that personal well-being drives performance. As Maya Angelou noted: “People will forget what you said; people will forget what you did; but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Realistic Expectations

Clear and realistic expectations from a leader are vital. This includes setting achievable job requirements and maintaining a sustainable workload to prevent burnout. Leaders must ensure that employees have a clear understanding of their roles while balancing ambition with achievability.

Flexibility in work design has become indispensable. Accommodating diverse working styles enables employees to perform at their best. Good leaders recognize the importance of work-life balance and strive to create an environment where employees can thrive both personally and professionally.

Clear communication, compassionate human-centered leadership, and realistic expectations are pillars of great leadership that inspire and retain teams while building trust and fostering stability in the workplace.

How do you create a thriving workplace? Email me at mcorrado@aseonline.org

By Mary E. Corrado Courtesy of SBAM-approved partner ASE

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