If your organization is managing to weather the uncertain economy so far, don’t rest on your laurels. Things can turn bad in a hurry. Here are some danger signals for managers to heed:

• You are spread too thin. If you are forced to answer every question and solve every crisis, it is a sign that you are not delegating very well. It is natural for a top manager to try to run the whole show. Over time you may find that you have overextended yourself without training anyone to back you up.

  Assign tasks to others as part of a long-range training program. Not only does this relieve some of the burden on yourself, but it shows you which people are capable of handling comprehensive and tougher assignments.

• Employees leave the job in droves. A high turnover rate can be a sign of any one of a number of problems within an organization. Maybe your initial screening process is faulty, or your training is inadequate. Or a particular employee may be driving people out the door.

  In any event, the results can be devastating. Poor morale, extra expenses from hiring and training replacements, etc., can all impact an organization.

  Use exit interviews to pinpoint the reasons why employees are leaving. If it is for any reason other than those normally associated with job moves (e.g., career advancement, higher salary), address those issues. Similarly, new-hires should have an accurate picture of their job duties and responsibilities, as well as their chances for advancement.

• You do not have accurate information. You cannot keep on the lookout for early warnings of impending disaster unless you are kept up-to-date on your entity’s fiscal health. Make it a policy to have all key financial news sent to you on a timely basis.
• Employee absences and tardiness are increasing. If morale is low, perhaps it is a sign that employees are unsure of exactly how the organization is performing and what its goals are.

  Hold meetings with employees on a regular basis. You can explain the objectives of the organization and the efforts required of them to meet these goals. At the same time, really listen to your employees. This is a good way to keep minor complaints from becoming major concerns.

Oftentimes, management is the last one to know that an entity is in trouble. Do not let this happen to you.

At Lewis, Hooper & Dick, LLC, we offer comprehensive services in human resources. Please contact David Lunzmann at (620)275-9267.

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