Paul Welty, PhD AI, WORK, AND STAYING HUMAN

Bookmark: Nearly all bosses are ‘accidental’ with no formal training—and research shows it’s leading 1 in 3 workers to quit

Untrained managers drive one in three employees to quit. Discover how effective leadership training can boost retention and workplace satisfaction.

The article discusses the phenomenon of “accidental managers,” highlighting that a significant portion of the workforce—approximately one in four people—hold managerial roles without formal training in management. This lack of training is not merely a gap in professional development but has tangible repercussions, such as contributing to employee dissatisfaction and turnover. Research from the Chartered Management Institute indicates that one-third of employees attribute their decision to leave jobs to poor management, underscoring the critical impact effective leadership can have on retention. The central thesis posits that organizations often overlook the necessity of training managers, treating leadership as an incidental role rather than a skill that requires development. This oversight can lead to ineffective management practices, employee disengagement, and ultimately, organizational inefficiency. Emphasizing structured training programs for managers could not only enhance leadership capabilities but also foster workplace environments conducive to higher employee satisfaction and productivity, aligning with current business needs for adaptability and efficiency. The article implicitly argues for a reevaluation of business priorities in management training to prevent the costly cycle of hiring, training, and losing employees due to preventable leadership failures Nearly all bosses are ‘accidental’ with no formal training—and research shows it’s leading 1 in 3 workers to quit


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