I have personally seen the wake of working with a poor manager and what it can do to a brand. It creates havoc across the whole organization. From teams always in a frenzied defensive mode to miscommunication leaving remnants of confusion for all parties. It can leave them feeling undervalued, confused and ignored. While I do realize there really is not a perfect boss, these type of checked out managers suck the life out of a frustrated team’s morale, wastes time, money and resources.

A recent Gallup poll reported:

• 51% of managers are not engaged

• 14% are actively disengaged

• Only 30% of U.S. workers are engaged

• Just 35% of managers are engaged

A recent study by Matias Brødsgaard Grynderup states “we may have a tendency to associate depression and stress with work pressure and workload; however, our study shows that the workload actually has no effect on workplace depression.” If that is so what is the real smoking gun to workplace stress? Some report a lack of workplace flexibility and sleep.

We have recently worked with a company where we recognized the boss was over his head and not really willing to address poor performing team members clearly hurting his brand. He was reluctant to swiftly address under performing team members struggling in their jobs. When he was gone the team operated by it’s own rules. This lack of control creates a poor work culture and is very inefficient. He seemed like he really was not in touch with what was really going on in his own department.