How many times have we heard that phrase muttered at happy hours, dinner tables, and office breakrooms around the globe? According to a survey conducted by the Harvard Business Review, findings revealed 58% of workers said they trust a stranger more than their boss. More alarming, a study published by StudyFinds.org found that 1 in 5 workers hate their boss, and more than one fifth had no respect for them… WOW!!!
The survey asked participants to list the traits of a bad boss. The findings revealed a list of 50; below are the top five:
1. Doesn’t communicate well
2. Inconsistent
3. Sets their own rules
4. Doesn’t understand my work
5. They are incompetent.
Now that we have some idea why workers don’t like their bosses, what can we do about it?
One approach is to help bosses be better leaders through training and coaching. According to CareerBuilder.com, 60% of managers never received management training. How can ANY employee be expected to perform a vital organizational function without training or direction?
It is imperative that bosses transition from the traditional leadership style of managers managing people to a transformational style of servant leadership. The beauty of servant leadership is that it promotes shared power rather than personal power. Moreover, the leader puts others' needs before him or herself and helps people develop and perform at the highest level possible. Organizations that adopted the servant leadership philosophy experienced marked improvements in their overall business performance. They experienced increased customer loyalty, improved customer service, increased productivity, reduced employee attrition, and increased revenue.
Is a culture of servant leadership right for your organization?