People Management & HR

How to become the manager people will not want to leave

  • 4 min Read
  • December 9, 2021

Author

Escalon

Table of Contents

We have all heard the adage: “People leave managers, not companies.” Whether it is offering constant criticism, making comments, routinely belittling ideas or even talking in an aggressive manner, a bad manager can make work life miserable. They may even compel good employees to quit their jobs even when they like the company. And when star performers leave, morale suffers, productivity drops and those left behind struggle with increased workloads.


To back up this notion, Gallup’s “The State of the American Manager” study from 2015 found that 50% of Americans have left a job to “get away from their manager at some point in their career.” In addition, only 30% of workers are engaged at work, and managers are responsible for the low engagement. This may be because only 35% of managers are themselves engaged at work.


Managers can have serious control over their workers’ performance. Andy Grove, the former co-founder and CEO of Intel, wrote in his book High Output Management, “As a middle manager, you are in effect a chief executive of an organization yourself… As a micro CEO, you can improve your own and your group’s performance and productivity, whether or not the rest of the company follows suit.” 


So, what steps can you take as a manager to make sure your employees never leave? 


Talk to us about how our back-office services can help alleviate the stress put on the leaders and management team of your firm.



Check out these five tips you can do to become a better manager.


Become engaged and work your way down.

According to the Gallup study, a manager contributes to 70% of an employee’s variance in their engagement. Therefore, increase engagement in your team by being engaged yourself. Company culture starts at the top. A positive culture can boost employee morale by making the work life pleasurable, which leads to higher productivity and lower employee attrition. 


Practice empathy.

An empathetic leader is more likely to have highly engaged teams as they are willing to get to know their team members beyond work. According to research by Catalyst, “Empathy is an important driver of employee outcomes such as innovation, engagement and inclusion… Employees now are looking for managers, leaders, and companies who will not just acknowledge these hardships but put them front and center in a strategy to lead ethically, responsibly and equitably.” Empathetic leadership requires business leaders to be able to understand the needs of their employees and be aware of their thoughts and feelings.


Practice what you preach.

The easiest thing to do is give out orders, but if you want your employees to work hard, you need to do the same. Lead by example. For instance, if you don’t want your team members to make personal calls at work or going out for long lunches, don’t do it yourself. 


Leverage the strengths of all workers.

Focus on your team’s strengths and look for ways to tap into them on a daily basis in order to further develop them. “Employees who use their strengths every day are six times more likely to be engaged at work,” suggests the Gallup study. 


Say what you mean and mean what you say.

Everyone looks forward to direction, consistency and honest feedback. If you promise something to your team, keep your word and follow through. It’s crucial for your workers to know you will always be up front with them and don’t have to second guess your motivations and intentions.


Want more?

Escalon has helped thousands of startups and midsized businesses alleviate the burden, freeing up resources to focus on core business activities with our back-office solutions for accounting, HR, payroll, insurance, and recruiting and taxes. Talk to an expert today.

Talk to our team today to learn how Escalon can help take your company to the next level.

  • Expertise you can trust

    Our team is made up of seasoned professionals who bring years of industry experience to the table. You gain a trusted advisor who understands your business inside out.

  • Quality and consistency

    Say goodbye to the hassles of hiring, training and managing in-house finance teams. You will never have to worry about unexpected leave of absence or retraining new employees.

  • Scalability and Flexibility

    Whether you’re a small business or a global powerhouse, our solutions scale with your needs. We eliminate inefficiencies, reduce costs and help you focus on growing your business.

Contact Us Today!

Tap into the latest insights from experts in your industry

Accounting & Finance

October 15 Tax Deadline: What to Double Check Before You File

If your business or personal tax return was extended back in April, October 15 is the final deadline to submit....

Accounting & Finance

Key Financial Deadlines Every SMB Should Know for Q3 and Q4 

For small and mid-sized businesses, the second half of the year often comes with increased operational demands, from budgeting and...

Small Businesses

From Bookkeeping to Strategic Finance: Preparing Your Family Business for Growth

Is Your Family Business Ready for Its Next Chapter? As a family business leader, you've built something remarkable. Through years...

Accounting & Finance

Subscription Revenue in 2025: Fatigue, Churn, and the Imperative to Diversify 

For much of the last decade subscription models symbolized modern growth, predictable revenue, sticky customer relationships, and rising valuations. But...

Accounting & Finance

Closing the Books in Q4: Common Mistakes That Delay Reporting 

Closing the books at year-end is one of the most important financial events for any growing business. It sets the...

Leadership & Growth

Building a Scalable Tech Stack: How to Choose the Right Tools for Growth 

In today’s business landscape, technology is more than a convenience—it’s a strategic asset that can supercharge growth. But as you...

People Management & HR

The Role of HR Analytics in Strategic Decision-Making 

In the era of big data, human resources (HR) analytics has emerged as a powerful tool that can transform how...

Accounting & Finance

Understanding Customer Lifetime Value and Its Impact on Strategy 

In the world of business, not all customers are created equal. Some make one small purchase and disappear, while others...

Accounting & Finance

Tax Strategies for Succession Planning in Family-Owned Businesses 

Succession planning in a family-owned business is a delicate dance that involves not only leadership and emotional considerations, but also...