October 17 is National Boss Day, and according to a new survey from
A majority of professionals (67 percent) went on to claim that they don't aspire to earn their boss's job, citing more stress and responsibility (45 percent) and a lack of desire to manage others (27 percent) as reasons why. Top suggestions for managers included more communication (37 percent) and recognition (31 percent).
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"Managers can sometimes get a bad rap, but in reality most professionals understand that the job is tough and complex and may not be for everyone," said Bill Driscoll, district president for Accountemps, per a statement. "The challenge for many bosses today isn't just identifying a successor but convincing that professional to step up to the challenge."
"The employee-manager relationship is a two-way street," Driscoll added, "and both parties play a role in the dynamic. The best relationships are built on strong communication combined with mutual trust and respect."
Additional findings from the Accountemps survey include:
- A majority of professionals (56 percent) age 18-34 are most eager to move up to their manager's position, compared to 34 percent of respondents 34-55 and 13 percent 55 and older.
- 34 percent of respondents have left a job due to a relationship with a supervisor
- 12 percent professionals between the ages of 35 and 54 are unhappy with their boss, the largest of any age group. This group also was the most likely to have quit a job over a strained or dysfunctional relationship with a manager.
- Half of workers said their boss understands the demands of their job, with 16 percent feeling their boss has little understanding of their jobs.
- 49 percent of millennials feel their boss recognizes their potential, with 67 percent of workers 55 and older claiming the same.
Accountemps offers the following advice to improve the employee-manager relationship:
Manager Tip | Employee Tip | |
Communication | Set clear expectations with staff, and foster an environment where they feel comfortable coming to you with questions. Seek learning opportunities be become a better communicator. Remember, too, this involves being an active listener. | Pursue professional development to enhance your communication skills. Be open to – and act on – constructive feedback. If you're not sure what your boss expects of you, ask him or her for clarification. |
Career planning | Formulate and share career plans for your staff members. Identify specific milestones they need to reach and how you and the company can help them achieve their objectives. | Approach your manager about your potential career path at the company. Ask about specific areas you need to improve to meet your goals. |
Recognition | Show gratitude for a job well done and announce accomplishments to the rest of the team to boost morale. Professionals are happier and more likely to stay with a company if they feel appreciated. | Check in regularly with your manager to ensure he or she understands the full range of projects you're tackling and your achievements. Be quick to praise others for their work, too. |
Work-life balance | Explore offering flexible schedules and on-site perks such as gyms, nap rooms and free meals to help employees juggle the demands of work and personal obligations. | Talk to your boss if you feel overloaded. He or she may be able to bring in additional full-time or temporary employees to help you and the team. |
For the full report and more on Accountemps, head to their
