As the saying goes, employees join organizations - and leave managers. Bad managers have a significant negative impact on employee engagement and retention.
I’ve worked in HR for 25 years and have had a front row seat to the gamut of leadership abilities out there. From my book of wisdom, I share with you these five signs that you might be a bad manager:
1. Your Team is Unusually Quiet
- What It Means: If your team members are more silent than a library at midnight, it could be a sign they’re afraid to speak up. This could mean they don't feel comfortable sharing ideas or giving feedback, possibly because they expect negative reactions.
- Fix It: Encourage open dialogue. Make it clear that you value their input, and actively seek out their thoughts individually. The more they talk, the better you're doing.
2. High Turnover Rates
- What It Means: If people are leaving your team faster than free donuts disappear, it might be time to look in the mirror. High turnover often typically signals a problem with leadership (aka bad managers), workplace culture, or both.
- Fix It: Conduct stay interviews for current employees and exit interviews when people leave. Look for patterns. Use the feedback to make meaningful changes. Retaining talent is a clear sign of good leadership.
3. You're Always the Smartest Person in the Room
- What It Means: If you find that you’re always the one making decisions, offering solutions, or correcting others, it might not be because you’re brilliant—it might be because you’re not giving your team the opportunity to shine.
- Fix It: Delegate more and trust your team to handle responsibilities. A great boss builds other leaders, not followers.
4. Your Calendar is Booked with 1:1s, But You’re Still Out of Touch
- What It Means: If you’re constantly in meetings with your team members but still seem surprised by issues or problems, it might indicate that your conversations aren’t as productive as they should be.
- Fix It: Shift the focus of your 1:1s from status updates to genuine check-ins about workload, challenges, and career growth. Listen more than you talk – trust me, it helps.
5. You're the Source of All Solutions
- What It Means: If your team constantly relies on you to solve every problem, it might feel good in the short term, but it’s a sign that you’re not empowering them to take ownership or think critically.
- Fix It: Encourage problem-solving and decision-making within the team. Give them the tools and autonomy to handle challenges without needing constant approval.
If any of these signs resonate with you, don't panic—recognizing the issue is the first step toward improvement. Acknowledge where you might be falling short and take proactive steps to improve. Leadership is about growth, and that includes self-awareness.
Leave that ‘bad manager’ approach behind you. The best bosses are the ones who are constantly learning and evolving, just like their teams.