The wide majority of managers working in the U.S. today are wrong for their roles. In fact, a new “State of the American Manager” study by Gallup—based on over four decades of talent research and a study of 2.5 million manager-led teams—says just one in 10 people have the talent and skills necessary to effectively lead a team of employees.
“Great managers possess a rare combination of five talents. They motivate their employees, assert themselves to overcome obstacles, create a culture of accountability, build trusting relationships and make informed, unbiased decisions for the good of their team and company,” the study says.
While just one in 10 managers possess all five talents, Gallup says, another two in 10 have some of the skills and can become successful managers with the right coaching and development.
The study also finds that females make better managers when it comes to their engagement level with their jobs.
“While there are great female and male managers, Gallup has found that female managers are more likely to be engaged than male managers (41% to 35%, respectively),” the study says. “Individuals who work for a female manager are also six percentage points more engaged, on average, than those who work for a male manager.”
Female employees working for female managers have the highest engagement with their jobs (35% engaged), the study says, while male employees working for male managers have the engagement (25% engaged).
The study also shows the cost of ineffective managers in the U.S. is staggering. Gallup estimates managers who are not engaged with their work—or who are actively disengaged—cost the U.S. economy $319 billion to $398 billion annually. Ineffective managers can also cause turmoil in the office.
“One in two employees have left their job to get away from their manager at some point in their career,” the study says.
—Steve Sanoski
