Caring, Compassionate and Concerned…
Words that describe how a leader can positively impact your employees and organization
Everyone has their own vision of what a great leader should be. I am sure you can recall the best boss you ever worked for. You remember him/her probably not for the success you had while working for them but rather how you were treated by them.
As a recruiter, we always ask candidates why they want to leave their current position. Over 50% of candidates reply that it has something to do with their boss. Here are some of the comments we often hear.
· My boss doesn’t pay attention to my growth needs
· My boss is unplugged with the business
· I don’t like my boss’s style
· I don’t want to work for my manager anymore
· I work long hours, my boss doesn’t care
I have been very lucky to work for some great leaders and have had role models that set me in the right direction, my father being one of them. But what does it take to be a true leader in distribution today? Some basic formulas of yesteryear still ring loudly today. My Dad had a philosophy of consistently practicing the Three C’s -Caring, Compassionate and Concerned…that philosophy still resonates today.
A leader gains respect and loyalty from their people by setting the tone, always listening, eager to help and understanding each employees’ issues. Leaders practice the Three C’s philosophy and principles daily.
No one is the perfect leader but if you practice the Three C’s could it make a difference in your workplace? If managers cared more about their employees’ well-being and worked hard at building their company culture and employee’s personal career roadmap, would that help retain employees.
I know that hitting budgets and KPI’s are super important, but should that hinder leaders’ ability to care about their employees more? We talk to disgruntled employees every day. We get asked about our client’s culture, work environment and how the hiring manager treats their employees.
Recently, one of our clients instituted another step in their hiring process, it was what I would refer to as a “reverse interview”, that is, they gave the candidate the opportunity to interview two potential internal peers about what it would be like if they came on board and work for the company and hiring manager. No question was off limits. Such a simple but BRILLANT idea. A one-on-one coffee room type chat. Obviously, my client has a superior culture that they are proud of. They are caring, compassionate and concerned about their employees. Super impressive. What would your employees say in a reverse interview?
Maybe practicing the Three C’s of Caring, Compassionate and Concerned can become a piece of who you and your company are also, it could create a healthy work environment of passionate employees and help retain your brightest stars. We see the best companies, post covid, really
taking the people aspect of their business very seriously. We see elongated recruitment cycles in which five to six interviews are becoming more commonplace. Although that practice puts losing the candidate at risk, some companies would rather give the candidate full exposure to their culture and leaders than risk losing the candidate once they become an employee.
Finally, here’s how the three C’s can positively impact your employees and organization
CARING– Being a Caring leader Fosters Trust and Loyalty: Caring leaders prioritize the well-being of their employees, demonstrating genuine interest in their personal and professional lives. When employees feel that their leaders care about them as individuals, they are more likely to trust them, leading to higher loyalty and commitment. This allows employees to feel comfortable sharing ideas, giving feedback, and expressing concerns.
COMPASSIONATE– Being a Compassionate leader Increases Employee Engagement and Morale:
Compassionate leaders are empathetic and supportive during times of need or challenge. When leaders show empathy and understanding, employees feel valued and are more motivated to contribute positively to the organization. Studies have shown that employees who feel supported by their leaders are more engaged, productive, and satisfied with their work(Best Life).
CONCERNED– Being a concerned leader Improves Communication and Collaboration:
Leaders who are concerned about their team’s well-being are better listeners and communicators. They take the time to understand their employees’ needs, challenges, and ideas. This leads to open communication, stronger collaboration, and more effective problem-solving within teams.(SHRM).
Enhancing Retention and Organizational Culture:
Employees are more likely to stay with organizations where they feel their leaders care about them personally and professionally. When leaders show compassion and concern, they create a positive culture that promotes retention.
Caring leadership sets the tone for a supportive workplace culture where employees are motivated to grow, and turnover is reduced.
By integrating care, compassion, and concern into their leadership approach, leaders can create a more harmonious, productive, and resilient workplace, which ultimately benefits both employees and the organization. By showing a more Caring, Compassionate and Concerned management team and company, you should set your new employee and your company up for success.
John Salvadore
GRN Coastal
Managing partner
jsalvadore@grncoastal.com
508-479-3137 cell
508-589-6022 office
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