Great Manager Newsletter - Jan 8, 2025
The Great Detachment
Welcome to 2025! From the standpoint of being a manager, this will continue to be a very challenging year. The good news is that we have the answers to the challenge - knowledge and the desire to do the right thing.
I can use your help - while I do this newsletter to help you, it does take time and money. Here are 2 ways you can help:
If you are a free subscriber, consider upgrading to a paid subscription. You get access to more content and I will be adding a lot more benefits this year.
Share this email with other managers. I have the goal of doubling our subscriber base in the first half of the year - so your help is critical.
Let’s get started.
1 Big Thing
The Great Detachment
The Gallup article "The Great Detachment: Why Employees Feel Stuck" discusses a growing trend of employee disengagement in the workplace. According to Gallup's research, 51% of employees are actively seeking new job opportunities, the highest percentage since 2015.
Watch This
The Problem with Being Too Nice at Work
Are you "too nice" at work? Social psychologist Tessa West shares her research on how people attempt to mask anxiety with overly polite feedback — a practice that's more harmful than helpful — and gives three tips to swap generic, unhelpful observations with clear, consistent feedback, even when you feel awkward.
By the Numbers
85%
The article asks a simple question. If you knew that one set of skills accounted for 85% of your success, would you focus on that set of skills or the 15% that account for the rest? Soft skill are 85% responsible for success at work - tech skills only 15% - yet most employees work on developing technical skills.
Words of Wisdom
There are 3 things that you need to come to terms with in life:
If they wanted to, they would.
No response is a response.
Not everybody has the same values, goals, or heart that you do.
Once you come to terms with those three things, life becomes a lot easier.
― Mel Robbins
Business Laughs
Discussion Topics
Can you share an experience where you had to navigate a difficult conversation with a team member?
Your challenge for the week - evaluate everyone on your team and try to figure out who is considering leaving (or who may be detaching as our first article mentioned).
Once you’ve done that - find ways to help them engage and build a better career.
Have a great week and be a great manager.