The online survey is based on two best selling books by Beverly Kaye and Sharon Jordan-Evans

ìThe most frequently cited reason for quitting a job is a bad boss,î the authors say. ìWith a serious labor shortage looming over the next few years, no organization can afford to have bad bosses if it wants to keep its best people.î



Survey respondents, regardless of age, gender, occupation, or location, consistently selected the same bad boss characteristics with a few interesting variations:

- Whereas males cited micromanaging more often than females, females were more intolerant of ìhumiliates and embarrassesî than males.

- Generation X respondents, regardless of gender, also focused on micromanaging more than other generations, ranking it as their #3 hot button.

- ì Lyingî was ranked as the top bad boss behavior by members of the Baby Boomer and Silent generations (ages 39-70), as well as international respondents and those residing in the Southwestern United States.

- Respondents from the Southeastern United States were the only geographic region that selected ìuses fear as a motivatorî as one of the top five characteristics of a bad boss.

Is there a solution for employers of bad bosses, short of firing them? Can bad bosses change?

The authors think so. ìJust as you can learn new leadership skills at any age, you can stop behaviors that make you a bad boss and then hopefully replace them with more effective behaviors,î they say. Their suggestions to bad bosses include:

- Get honest feedback from others. There are situations where a boss displays behavior simply because he or she doesnít realize it is perceived as bad behavior. Ask which specific behaviors they believe stand to be eliminated or improved.

- Make sure you see the reasons for change. Whatís the payoff for others? For you? When youíre clear about the payoff, youíre more likely to get serious.

- Commit to change and begin by working on one important behavior. When youíve succeeded at that change, try another.

- Seek out coaches, counselors and self-improvement workshops and seminars. You donít have to go it alone.

- Exercise. Eat well. Sleep more. Breathe.

- Ask others to monitor your progress and give you feedback as you try to change.

ìIn todayís competitive environment, it is critical that organizations keep their stars and successfully recruit needed new talent. Bad bosses are unable to do either!î warn the authors. ìGiven the cost of voluntary turnover, changing their own negative behaviors can be the most important action a bad boss can take to positively impact the companyís bottom line.î

Distributed by HR Marketer.com