From the course: Be the Manager People Won't Leave

Be someone people trust, no matter what

From the course: Be the Manager People Won't Leave

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Be someone people trust, no matter what

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Years ago, I overheard my manager on the phone. There were hushed voices and coded language. Something was clearly wrong. We all suspected the company was in trouble and that call confirmed it. I asked him what was going on and he told me it was none of my business and get back to work. A few weeks later, the layoffs hit. People don't remember every decision a manager makes, but they remember how safe or unsafe they felt in moments like that. Today's employees expect managers to be anchors when things are uncertain. They want someone who communicates clearly and sets expectations and tells the truth. When they don't get that, they start looking for the exit. So what does trust actually look like when things are shaky? Well, it starts with plain communication. Cut to the chase,. Skip the buzzwords. If you don't have information, say so. Try this,. I don't know yet. When I do, I'll tell you. That's it. That builds credibility. Realistic optimism. Don't sugarcoat. Don't catastrophize. Sometimes all you need to say is this is tough and I see it Honesty. Employees can handle bad news. What they can't handle is being lied to. Once they think you're hiding something, trust is gone And no gossip. Speculation can feel like connection, but it just creates anxiety. It might also jeopardize your job as a manager if you give your team some information too soon. My manager didn't need to tell me everything about that phone call he was on, He just needed to say I can't talk about this yet. When I can, I will. That's the difference. Employees stay with managers who are clear, steady and honest. When things get hard, They leave managers who dodge, deflect or whisper on the phone. I wonder what kind of manager you'll be. Are you gonna be someone who your people trust, or will you blow it? The choice is yours.

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