Jerk - Don't Be One!

Last week I wrote a post listing the top 10 reasons why people stay with an organization (read entire post here). In that post I referenced a book I recently read entitled, Love 'em or Lose 'em. In this book, the authors offer 26 engagement strategies for managers to use in helping retain good employees.

Of the 26 strategies, 25 were proactive and basically a list of do this, or do that. However, one chapter focused on what not to do. The chapter was titled, "Jerk - Don't Be One". Immediately below the chapter title was this, "WARNING - If this book landed on your desk with a bookmark here, pay attention!".  If you're like me, you probably chuckled when you read that.

Unfortunately the reality is that it's not really funny for a lot of people. The reason being, they work for a boss that acts like a jerk and it makes their work life miserable. Over the years I've had the unfortunate experience of working for a couple of jerks (none so far at LifeWay!) and it was not fun. In one case, it was bad enough that I was ready to quit. When I complained to my general manager he told me that I could learn as much from the bad managers as I could from the good ones. (Not sure that's what I really wanted to hear, but looking back I think there's a little truth in there somewhere.) Fortunately, before things got really bad, I got a promotion and was transferred to another hotel.

As it almost was for me, working for a jerk boss is one of the top causes for a person to leave a job. Even employees who are well paid, receive recognition and a chance to learn and grow will leave if the boss is a big enough jerk. This begs the question, "Are you a jerk boss?". Some bosses are proud of the fact they're a jerk, but I think most of them (maybe even us sometimes) don't really realize the impact their behavior is having on their employees.

So, what are some of the behaviors of a jerk boss? Here's a "Jerk Behavior Survey" that can offer a little insite. The survey poses the question, "Which of these behaviors would make you leave your job?" and lists 42 jerk behaviors to choose from. Once you check the five that would most likely cause you to leave, you get the results of what everyone else said.

Here are the five (4 of 5 were in top 8) jerk behaviors I said would cause me to leave a job:

1. Belittles people in front of others
2. Lies
3. Humiliates and embarrasses others
4. Betrays trust or confidences
5. Swears

What about you? Have you ever left a job because the boss was a jerk? If so, what was the behavior that sent you out the door? If not, what jerk behavior would cause you to leave a job you were otherwise satisfied with?