The Rising Need for Great Managers in Today's Workplace

Having observed and studied workplace dynamics extensively, I can attest to the importance of having a good manager for promoting employee engagement, development, psychological safety, productivity, and the list goes on.

In fact: "Managers have an enormous influence on their team members while being key players in nurturing the company's culture".

Managers who possess strong communication, coaching, and leadership skills can create a work environment that fosters growth, innovation, and job satisfaction. In this article, I will delve into the impact of good managers on workplace engagement and productivity.

To begin with, let's define what we mean by "good manager." Good managers know how to provide feedback, set clear expectations, and create a sense of accountability while also demonstrating empathy, listening actively, and showing appreciation for their team's efforts.

Employee Engagement

Employee engagement refers to the emotional connection that employees have with their work and their organization. Engaged employees are more likely to be productive, committed, and willing to go above and beyond in their work. In contrast, disengaged employees are more likely to be absent, less productive, and less committed to their work.

According to a study conducted by Gallup, only 15% of employees worldwide are engaged in their jobs, while 85% are either not engaged or actively disengaged. Good managers can positively impact employee engagement by creating a work environment that encourages open communication, collaboration, and personal and professional growth. This can result in improved job satisfaction, motivation, and performance.

A study by Dale Carnegie found that companies with engaged employees outperform those without by 202%, and that 71% of engaged employees are likely to stay with their current employer for at least another year.

Employee Retention

Employee retention is a critical issue facing many organizations today. According to a survey conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management, 47% of HR professionals cited employee retention as their top workforce management challenge. Good managers play a crucial role in retaining employees by creating a positive work environment that fosters engagement, growth, and development.

A study conducted by Gallup found that managers account for up to 70% of the variance in employee engagement scores. This highlights the critical role that managers play in creating a positive work environment and retaining employees.

A study by the Society for Human Resource Management found that turnover rates can be as much as 50% lower in companies with engaged employees, and absenteeism rates can be up to 41% lower.

It's worth noting that the impact of good managers extends beyond just engagement and productivity, and I will continue writing about it in future articles.