Bamboo HR recently published a Bad Boss Index infographic, and after reviewing the responses they received, I realized how lucky I have been in my career to work for some very talented, competent leaders. Bamboo HR's research found that 44% of people had left a job due to a bad boss, and many other studies over the years have produced similar results. Thematically, there are four things I learned from these individuals that we can all practice to be better leaders and avoid losing our best team members.

Transparency

From the standpoint of leadership, transparency is a tricky subject.  For example, good leaders know how to strike the right balance in their sharing of information with employees.  It is critical that employees receive the necessary information to help them complete their work in a way that makes them feel connected to the bigger picture.  But leaders can’t go too far down this road, otherwise they may share information that is disparaging to others or the organization, which will actually have a demotivating effect.  

The best way to manage this dynamic is to consider the audience and provide information that is useful, and meaningful from their perspective.

Fairness

Fair and equal are two different things, and leaders I have respected most treat their employees fairly. What this means to me is taking into consideration the unique needs of every employee and acting accordingly.

One employee may wish to climb the ladder and thrives on stretch assignments, while another may place greater value on work-life balance. To treat them both equally requires that both or neither are offered those stretch assignments, while being fair does not.

Recognition

Recognition is more than an incentive or trinket for a job well done. Leaders who effectively recognize employee performance are successful at connecting achievements to the bigger picture in terms of company or department performance. They also truly celebrate these moments instead of taking them for granted and moving on to the next assignment without acknowledgement.

Never underestimate the power of a simple thank you. This alone goes a long way with most employees.

Feedback

Providing employees a balance of positive and constructive feedback makes a lot of managers uneasy, but doing this well is an important factor in whether you are simply a manager or a true leader. Most employees prefer to know where they stand in terms of their performance - the good and the bad. Providing constructive feedback and the support to help an employee learn a better way of doing something is an investment in that employee, which is why it is so valuable to them.

What have you appreciated about the approach strong leaders have taken during your career? Share your stories with us here!