Mediocre Middle Management Good employees leaving? It may be your manager.

Is your manager a whiz at handling the operating side of yourbusiness but only so-so on human relations? If so, it could costyou good workers. A new survey concludes that employee retention isdirectly linked to employee-manager relationships. If employeeturnover is a problem, it may be time to take a close look at yourmanagers.

Caela Farren, president of MasteryWorks, an educational humanresources training company in Annandale, Virginia, surveyed 500workers and found that having a manager they respected ranked No. 1in what they wanted in a job. "Managers need to know theiremployees' family situations, and motivate, challenge andappreciate them," says Farren. "Doing that builds loyaltyand committed employees."

The buck starts with you, the entrepreneur. Making sure yourmanagers have the capability and inclination to do those tasks wellis your job. Here are some important traits Jeffrey Saltzman, anindustrial psychologist and CEO of Sirota Consulting in Purchase,New York, suggests business owners consistently look for in theirmanagers: considerate treatment of subordinates, giving clearperformance directions, and offering rewards and challenges on thejob.