Turnover is Not a Problem

Written by Michael Beck


“Ha!” you say. “For someone to make a statement like that, they obviously haven’t worked inrepparttar real world and certainly have never had to run a company.” Well, let me assure you. In my past I’ve not only run companies, but spent many years in one ofrepparttar 119491 most notorious industries for turnover –repparttar 119492 restaurant industry.

Don’t get me wrong, I understand and appreciaterepparttar 119493 challenges that turnover creates. Turnover causes a drop in productivity, lower profits, inconsistent quality, and certainly creates work overload. In addition, turnover results in a lack of motivation, a lack of enthusiasm, apathy, and a lack of teamwork. But here’srepparttar 119494 question…

Arerepparttar 119495 challenges I just raised problems or symptoms? Inrepparttar 119496 context of our discussion of turnover, most people would agree that they’re all symptoms of our turnover challenge. Turnover caused each of these shortfalls, which leads us torepparttar 119497 core question:

Is turnover a problem or a symptom?

Turnover is a symptom.

But what is turnover a symptom of? You may argue that turnover is a symptom of a weak workforce – unmotivated people, apathetic, too small of a labor pool, etc. I believe, however, that turnover is caused by other factors. Turnover is related to leadership. Turnover is a symptom of leadership problems. Some of these leadership-related problems are: lack of purpose, lack of integrity, absence of a plan for developing people, poor communications, and treating people as objects instead of people.

Let’s discuss whether these factors really do cause turnover. I always suggest that clients use their own experience as their best example. Have you ever worked for a company just to earn a living? A job where you really didn’t care aboutrepparttar 119498 work orrepparttar 119499 company? I’d guess that virtually everyone has been in that situation at one time or another. You may even be in that situation right now. When you were in that job, were you onrepparttar 119500 lookout for a better opportunity? Did you leaverepparttar 119501 company to take a job just to make more money? (… and then repeatrepparttar 119502 whole scenario once more?) When a company and a job lack purpose, turnover occurs.

Have you ever worked for someone who lacked integrity? Someone who would say one thing and do another? Someone who promised to do something but never did? Someone who tookrepparttar 119503 credit and placedrepparttar 119504 blame? Unfortunately, I’d have to guess that each of us has had that kind of boss at one time or another. When you were in that situation, did you continue to do your work? Of course you did. Was your work accurate and correct? Of course it was. Did you takerepparttar 119505 initiative on new projects forrepparttar 119506 benefit ofrepparttar 119507 company? Maybe not. Gorepparttar 119508 extra mile to make a difference? Hmmm… Did you leaverepparttar 119509 company atrepparttar 119510 first opportunity? Point made. When an individual or company lacks integrity, turnover occurs.

Setting a Pitiful Example: Twenty-six Warnings to Heed *

Written by Etienne A. Gibbs, MSW


PERMISSION TO REPUBLISH: This article may be republished in newsletters and on web sites provided attribution is provided torepparttar author, and it appears withrepparttar 119490 included copyright, resource box and live web site link. Email notice of intent to publish is appreciated but not required. Email him at eagibbs@ureach.com.

TO: All Parents [and Employers and Managers]

From: Your Child or Employee

Date: The present time

1. Don't spoil me. I know quite well that I ought not to have all I ask for. I'm only testing you.

2. Don't be afraid to be firm with me. I prefer it; it lets me know where I stand.

3. Don't use force with me. It teaches me that power is all that counts; I will respond more readily to being led.

4. Don't be inconsistent. It confuses me and makes me try harder to get away with everything that I can.

5. Don't make promises you cannot keep them. It will discourage my trust in you.

6. Don't fall for my provocations when I say and do things just to upset you. Then I will try for more of such "victories".

7. Don't be too upset when I say, "I hate you". I don't mean it, but I want you to feel sorry for what you have done to me.

8. Don't make me feel smaller than I am. I will make up for it by behaving like a "big shot".

9. Don't do things for me that I can do for myself. It makes me feel like a baby and I may continue to put you in my service.

10. Don't correct me in front of people. I'll take much more notice when you talk quietly with me in private.

11. Don't try to discuss my behavior inrepparttar 119491 heat of conflict. For some reason my hearing is not very good at this time and my cooperation is even worse. It’s all right to takerepparttar 119492 action required, but let's not talk about it until later.

12. Don't try to preach to me. You’d be surprised how well I know what's right and wrong.

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