A Person’s Mental Health Gradually Improves in the Weeks After a Layoff. We saw this headline today on twitter from the Harvard Business Review @TheDailyStat. It goes on to state that at first when an employee is laid off his mental health takes a hit, but then it gradually improves.
Here’s our take… According to Gallup, employees are spending only 17% of their time at work doing what they love or utilizing their talents. Knowing this, the headline from The Daily Stat tends to make perfect sense in that when you get out of job you don’t like or one that isn’t putting your talents to good use you tend to be happier when not in that job.
Now here’s the real problem… Managers need to do their job of managing. Far too many managers view themselves as the resident expert, only there to answer questions from employees as they arise. Others view themselves as firemen, only there to handle the occasional crisis or problem, i.e., putting out fires. Still others think they’ve “arrived” and have now become a little lazy. Far too few managers actually manage. Managers should be focused on turning individual talents into performance. This is done by making sure you have the right employee on the right seat on the bus. It’s done by setting expectations. It’s done by motivating. It’s done by developing. And the best way to begin this process is through the daily meeting/conversation, one-on-one, with each of your direct reports. What’s funny (and sad) is we hear most managers say they don’t have time for this 5-minute meeting every day. This meeting should be a top top priority. It is your job as a manager. Do it and you’ll have fewer stressed employees and less turnover. Don’t do it and your employees will one day be part of the survey showing that their mental health has improved after leaving their job.
