Employees Don’t Leave Jobs, They Leave Managers
A recent Harvard Business Review case study, entitled, “Why Are We Losing All Our Good People?” suggested that the blame often lies at the feet of management. If you discover that turnover in a particular department is common, take a good look at the missing employees’ manager. In the study, Anne Pringle of Microsoft explains that, “leaders (are) accountable for attracting and retaining key talent.”
Employee retention is too large a job for one individual. The dealership as a whole, more specifically the leadership, should make retention a goal. Immediate managers should have insight to individuals and the specific things those individuals value. If the loss of a valued employee is a surprise, you can bet that someone in leadership dropped the ball. Management should be in tune to employee needs, especially the employees directly under them.
Educate your management team. Help them to understand the dealership’s goals where retention is concerned. Empower them to be flexible with employees and be careful to hire management that understands your dealership’s position. It’s been said that employees don’t leave jobs, they leave managers. There is certainly truth to that, probably more than most of us take the time to realize.
Think about it… and the money your dealership loses every time you lose an employee.
August 18th, 2008 at 11:54 pm
Allan, I believe your point is very valid in the automotive retail industry.
Too many times our industry is willing to forgo a great employee because they “want too much money” or “they want to learn”. See Rafi Hamid’s post titled “Pay Plan” and Mike Whitty’s post “Why Don’t They Want to Learn?”
My experience has shown me that your top performers will stay for less money provided they follow a leader and not a dictator.
(Yes, money is a concern, but it is not everything… even to sales professionals).
August 21st, 2008 at 5:28 pm
I agree, people want to follow a leader. Lead and they will follow. Treat people fairly and with dignity and they will do anything for you. Share the trenches with them, give them your compassion and empathy, show them that you care about them and the welfare of their families. Put your arms around them and show them you care and you will keep more employees loyal to you and your dealership.