People quit managers, really?

Here are three recent studies involving over 2,000 participants that explore several reasons why people quit their jobs:

1. Pew Research Center Study (2022)

This study surveyed 6.627 non-retired U.S. adults, including 965 who voluntarily left their jobs in 2021. The top reasons identified were:

• Low pay (63%)
• Lack of opportunities for advancement (63%)
• Feeling disrespected at work (57%)

Other significant factors included child care issues, lack of flexibility, and insufficient benefits such as health insurance and paid time off [Link to study].

2. FlexJobs Survey (2022)

FlexJobs surveyed 2.202 people and found that the main reason for quitting was:

• A toxic company culture (62%)
• Low salary (59%)
• Poor management (56%)
• Lack of a healthy work-life balance (49%)

Additional reasons included no remote work options, burnout, and lack of flexible schedules [Link to study].

3. McKinsey & Company Study (2022)

McKinsey surveyed more than 2.000 people globally and highlighted that they quit due to:

• Uncaring and uninspiring leaders (40%)
• Lack of meaningful work (38%)
• Unsustainable work expectations (36%)

Other important reasons included insufficient support for employee well-being and inadequate compensation .

These studies underline that dissatisfaction with workplace culture, compensation, management, and work-life balance are central to why people choose to leave their jobs.

Which are the core principles we as Sales Managers must know, follow, model and master to avoid that our best people quit us?

My top 10

1. Belief: To navigate tumultuous times, belief in oneself and one’s team is crucial. Whether it’s dealing with unexpected shutdowns or organizational changes, believing in both our collective and individual strength is essential.
2. Mindset: A positive growth mindset is vital. The potential of your team is limitless, and so is yours as a manager. Growth requires daily effort and resilience through the inevitable peaks and valleys. Embrace failure as part of the journey; remember, those who never make mistakes never tried anything new.
3. Positive Principles and Values: Success is sustainable and consistent when guided by positive principles and values. Failing to internalize these can lead to negative outcomes, harming not just ourselves but also our teams. Positive values are the foundation of lasting success.
4. Focus: Distractions are one of today’s biggest challenges. Social media and numerous apps want our attention, making it crucial to establish routines and habits that keep us focused. Prioritizing effectively is key to maintaining productivity and achieving goals.
5. Strategy: A strategy should outline a path to a better future, providing clear indications of what needs to be done and how. It should include one or two key metrics to measure progress and ensure we stay on track. A well-defined strategy visualizes success and guides our efforts.
6. Execution: In sales, execution is paramount - 90% execution and 10% strategy. As a sales manager, you must translate strategy into action. This involves calling clients, meeting with teammates, and driving opportunities forward in the sales cycle. Effective execution leads to closing deals, generating revenue, and sustaining business growth.
7. Leadership: Sales leadership is both daunting and critical. Sales drive the company’s success; it’s the lifeblood of the organization. Leading by example, being in the trenches, and holding your team accountable for their activities are essential. Great leaders are also great coaches and mentors.
8. Communication: Effective communication is 90% of leadership. Mastering communication - knowing when and how to convey messages - is vital. It’s an action that triggers further action. Both verbal and non-verbal communication significantly impact your team and stakeholders. Communication includes as core skills active listening and giving constructive feedback! Remember, communication is the oil that keeps the team engine running smoothly.
9. Learning: The principle of "Always Be Learning" is crucial. Embracing a mindset of continual learning and growth ensures we never settle for the best but constantly strive for improvement. There’s always something new to learn, and adopting this attitude propels us toward unlimited growth potential.
10. Adaptability: As a sales manager, adaptability is key. You face constant change and must make choices based on universal principles. Embrace change, make informed decisions, and accept the outcomes. Adaptability allows you to navigate the evolving landscape effectively.

From my perspective and based on my own experience, these are the main pillars of success in sales management and beyond. They create strong bonds of loyalty and mutual trust. Embrace them, and lead your team to new heights.

Is anything missing? How would you rank them?

This is a call to reconnect with your core principles, your passion to lead, your passion for sales, to share your concerns, yours and your team's sales experiences with The Sales Manager community.

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