We're tackling a tricky topic today - losing good employees due to poor leadership. โ ๏ธ
I was on a coaching call with a health center CEO the other day. He mentioned that his nursing team has the highest turnover rate of any department in his organization.
He lamented: "They (the employees) keep complaining that the nursing director isn't a good leader, and she's causing nurses to leave."
I asked if HE thought she was a good leader. After a beat, he responded 'yes'. Why? Because she comes to meetings with him prepared and seems to be on top of things.
๐ But here's the reality. When you're the CEO (or even part of the administration), you don't experience someone's leadership like others. Your direct reports often try to put their best foot forward when dealing with you, but that doesn't mean they're equipped to manage people and run a high-performing team.
In a recent study, more than half of employees said they left a good position because of their supervisor. More than half! โ
๐ฉ So, if you see high turnover rates in a department, that's a red flag and probably means you have a leader who needs more support or guidance. If you're getting multiple complaints from members of that person's team, you have an obligation to take a serious look at what is going on with their leadership abilities.
My advice to this CEO was to start an internal investigation and interview the people who report to the nursing director, and the nursing director. The HR Director, CEO, COO, or a third-party HR specialist can do this.
๐ I also think it is essential for the director's supervisor to observe the team for several days and work near them to observe how the director leads and engages with their team. The complaints might be unsubstantiated or very legitimate, and the only way to know is to talk to everyone and observe the team dynamics.
I'm here to offer additional support if you're working with a leader facing challenges managing their team or experiencing high turnover. Visit www.jillsteeley.com to book a consultation or join the waitlist for my FQHC Leadership Academy, which is reopening this fall.
Now’s the time to act and support your team. โ
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