How to Lose Your Employees in 4 Easy Steps

The ‘war for talent’ is still raging, but the goal posts have shifted: it’s retention that matters now. Attracting and keeping talented people is even more important in today’s market. Unbelievably there are still many bosses out there doing their best to send people running for the door. Here are four easy ways to lose your talent…and good luck trying to replace them once word gets around! 

1. Let your ‘ivory tower syndrome’ run wild

You’ve got places to go and people to see. You’re always on the move – networking at conferences or in meetings with the ‘big boys’. What’s that? My team? I don’t have the time to baby sit! They know to keep out of my way and get on with their work. I’ve got much more important things to do. They should be grateful they still have a job, right?

If you’re suffering from ‘Ivory Tower Syndrome’ beware the fall that’s coming. As leadership experts Terri St Marie and Mark Graybill suggest, being disengaged from your staff means you’re not aware of what’s really going on in your business. You won’t be hearing vital information that will help you make informed decisions. You won’t see the small slips that could blossom into quality or cost issues overnight. If your team believes you couldn’t care less about them, then this feeling will permeate the experience your customers receive – and pretty soon you’ll also have a brand image problem.

2. Be a glory hog

Another award for your trophy cabinet – you must be a star! Pity that you didn’t really contribute anything to deserve it. It was your ‘young gun’ that came up with the idea. He’s always got creative approaches to problems. And it was your steady team leader who put in the extra hours driving the team to deliver on the project. She didn’t see her family for several weeks.

One of the quickest ways to lose your team is to take credit for their work and to keep the glory for yourself. Give kudos where it is due: find ways to reward your team’s efforts. This can be anything from a heartfelt thank you, to an afternoon off once a project is delivered, a team night out or treating your employee’s family to a congratulatory dinner.

3. Tell them lies tell them lies tell them sweet little lies

No one likes to be lied to. It can be deal breaker in relationships or between friends…so why would it be any different at work? Once you’ve lost your team’s respect and trust it’s very difficult to get it back. The same goes for over-promising: while it might seem OK to ‘stretch’ the truth it can backfire. For example, if you promise a raise in return for something and then don’t make good on the offer, nobody will go the extra mile for you again. Don’t mislead people or fob them off. If you genuinely can’t tell people something – maybe it’s confidential or embargoed – then say that. Make a point of coming back to people and telling them once you have the go ahead to share the information.

4. Squash their career aspirations

Dead end jobs don’t attract the best talent or retain the talent you have persuaded to join you. People commit to environments that have a clear path for growing their career. Sit down one-on-one regularly with your team to review their development plans. Support them to achieve their goals and then recognize good work that demonstrates this achievement. Ignoring or stifling your team’s aspirations is a sure-fire way to lose them to your competition.

About the Author:

Hanan Nagi, Founder & CEO of ‘Human Network International (HNI) – Training & Coaching’

Hanan Nagi is an International Trainer, Executive Coach, Personal Development Expert, Writer and Inspirational Speaker. She is the producer and presenter of the first coaching and human development TV show, 'Develop your life', on DMTV. With more than 16 years of corporate experience in the corporate world in various industries, she has been helping organisations achieve their goals through their people, using training and coaching programmes. She has been recognised for her contribution to excellence and achievement in the people's field by H.H Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and has won the Dubai Government Excellence Award.