Not surprisingly, managers and employees aren't always on the same page when it comes to their relationship, according to a new study commissioned by Ultimate Software.
The Center for Generational Kinetics surveyed more than 2,000 U.S. employees on behalf of the cloud-based HR platform provider, and found significant differences in perception and experience between managers and the people they manage.
"It's a wake-up call for companies of all sizes to get serious about better training, coaching, and guidance for managers, so these relationships remain strong," says Adam Rogers, Ultimate's chief technology officer. "Leaders should look at the ways they can leverage human resources and technology to get ahead of communication and trust breakdowns, and work closely with employees to redefine what it means to be a manager in the 21st century."
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While the vast majority (80 percent) of managers think they're transparent with their direct reports, just over half (55 percent) of employees agree their managers are transparent. On the flip side, 54 percent of employees say they feel comfortable communicating, but 57 percent of managers wish their reports would be more open with what's on their mind.
Less than half of managers report having a mentor that gives them guidance on how to be a better leader, and 45 percent have never received formal management training. Despite this lack of training, managers remain confident: only 16 percent agree they frequently make mistakes, and fewer than a third admit they don't know what to do in personnel situations. What's more, 71 percent of managers say they know how to motivate their team, but only 44 percent of employees agree that their manager knows how to motivate them.
The survey also found that 75 percent of employees say that approachability is the most important quality in an effective manager today, but only five out of 10 employees say they have an approachable manager.
"These results really highlight that longstanding belief: people don't leave companies, they leave managers," says Jason Dorsey, president and co-founder of The Center for Generational Kinetics. "It's a serious concern that affects everyone in the workforce and it's something all companies should focus on fixing before they end up losing great leaders and valuable talent. The good news is organizations of all sizes can start taking steps today to close this growing divide and ultimately improve the manager-employee relationship."
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Katie Kuehner-Hebert
Katie Kuehner-Hebert is a freelance writer based in Running Springs, Calif. She has more than three decades of journalism experience, with particular expertise in employee benefits and other human resource topics.
