As the age-old saying goes: “People don’t quit their jobs, they quit their bosses.” This is more than just a cliché—new insights reveal that up to 75 percent of turnover and 70 percent of the variance in employee engagement is directly influenced by the quality of management. And yet, findings also show that at least half of people leaders receive little to no training at all on how to be quality managers.
This discrepancy is not without consequence: Even in this era of constant crisis—in which the role of managers is all the more amplified as employees look to their supervisors for stability, transparency, and guidance—nearly two-thirds of employees express dissatisfaction with management, exactly mirroring the number of employees around the world who are reportedly not engaged at work. What’s more, new research suggests that up to 42 percent of turnover could, in fact, be prevented if managers were more skilled in building positive, trusting relationships; effectively addressing organizational and external challenges; and actively supporting employee wellbeing.
At a time where burnout, resistance to change, fear and uncertainty, low morale, and poor performance are ubiquitous, the need for competent, effective managers is clearer than ever. What may be less clear, evidently, for some organizations is how to cultivate these leaders. For that, employers need look no further than Workplace Options’ AIR Program for Managers.
WPO AIR & AIR 2.0: What They Are & How They Can Help
Centered on the core components of awareness, intervention, and resilience, WPO’s AIR and AIR 2.0: Leading in a VUCA World programs aim to train managers on how they can:
- Identify emotional challenges at work
- Respond promptly and effectively
- Build resilience to prevent relapse or recurrence
Recognizing the unprecedented rate of change that the world has now adapted to—and the exorbitant amount of stress this places on employees—AIR 2.0 helps managers transform into pillars of support for employees to rely on in times of volatility and uncertainty, enabling them to maintain optimal performance and wellbeing, as well as standard levels of engagement, productivity, growth, and retention even in times of flux. Through case studies, interactive group discussions, and one-on-one consultations with certified coaches, managers are equipped with the skills and strategies needed to navigate today’s complex and often unpredictable work environment and help their teams stay the course.
By the end of the 3-hour session, participating managers will have gained the insights necessary to:
- Understand the impact of stress and anxiety on operational outcomes
- Utilize scales and assessments to gauge employee wellbeing
- Implement effective communication strategies to foster trust and establish an open, two-way dialogue with team members
- Incorporate resilience-building language and skills in daily activities (e.g., delivering feedback, organizing meetings, conducting performance reviews, coaching employees)
Follow-up sessions are also provided to verify managers’ understanding of key concepts and ensure efficient application of new skills.
As organizations strive not just to succeed but to excel in 2024, they can learn a thing or two from 2023: More than half of employees who felt burnt out or disengaged at work in the last year cited ineffective or bad management as a leading if not the primary cause. Now more than ever, employees need managers who will guide them through both organizational and external challenges—whom they can trust will be there for them in good times and in bad.
Such exceptional leaders don’t appear by chance; they require deliberate training and development to take shape. With WPO’s AIR programs, employers can invest not only in their managers’ potential to become impactful leaders, but in the overall success and resilience of their teams, and of their organization as a whole. Contact us to learn more about the AIR programs for your organization.
