Join our Waitlist for Expert Advice!

3 Surefire Ways to Drive Your Finest Employees to a Competitor If you are guilty of any of the leadership blunders mentioned below, mend your ways or prepare for costly turnovers.

By Tom Borg Edited by Dan Bova

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Shutterstock

While there are few things more crucial to the success of an enterprise than a loyal and hard-working team, some leaders have been known to underestimate their most valuable assets.

If you don't want to send top-performing employees packing -- and into the open arms of a competitor -- avoid the following leadership blunders at all costs:

1. Create a predatory culture. In one of my first sales positions, I remember working for a business owner who consistently encouraged employees to get the sale even if it meant violating a leads system supposedly based on ethics. In his eyes, it did not matter who got the commission -- all that mattered was that his company was making money.

Related: A Budding Entrepreneur Says 'I Quit' to Her Boss as Millions of People Watch

Eventually, one by one, the best salespeople left. And now, the company is a shadow of what it once was -- all because it was built on unethical foundations. "What impacts employees' decisions to leave a company first and foremost," says Lynn Flinn of the women's business network EWF International, "is management and whether they trust them."

Leaders that cannot be trusted are fodder for the daily gossip that plagues small and large businesses alike.

2. Yell and scream. All of us know sharp business minds who just happen to be chaotic managers. One colleague I knew had a very loud and penetrating voice, that -- whether he knew it or not -- was very intimidating. While he had a good heart, he wasn't able to express his views without yelling and screaming.

Related: How to Snap Back After You Blow Up at Your Staff

As the business writer Amy Levin-Epstein puts it, losing your temper at work is a surefire way to undermine your authority as a manager. If you feel you may have crossed the line in this department, ask for unbiased feedback from trusted colleagues.

3. Play favorites. Nothing is more de-motivating than a business owner or manager that gives special treatment to one employee -- whether because of preexisting relationships, physical appearances or any other reason at all. This behavior festers deeply within the other team members who feel consequently slighted.

The late Cavett Robert put it this way: "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." In other words, if you don't demonstrate that you truly have your employee's best interests at heart, you run the risk of alienating them from the outset.

Related: Four Ways to Foster Fairness in the Workplace

Tom Borg

President of Tom Borg Consulting

Tom Borg is a business expert who works with small and mid-size companies to profitably improve customer acquisition and retention and employee performance. He does this through his consulting, speaking, and professional writing. For more information on how he can help you and your company call   (734) 404-5909 or email him at: tom@tomborg.com or visit his website at: www.@tomborgconsulting.com

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Starting a Business

Which Business Model Is Right for You? Here's What You Need to Know Before Choosing One.

Choosing the right business model is pivotal in shaping your entrepreneurial journey. Explore the benefits and challenges of various models — from franchising to lean startups — to find the one that aligns best with your vision and market needs.

Money & Finance

This Is How Far Social Security Goes Across the U.S., New Research Reveals. How Much Will It Benefit You?

The annual cost of living after Social Security is roughly $50,000 or higher in 10 U.S. cities.

Business News

Read the Memo Dropbox's CEO Wrote to Staff Announcing Layoffs, Cutting 20% of Workforce

Dropbox CEO Drew Houston announced the company was laying off more than 500 employees in a blog post on Wednesday.

Leadership

What Does It Mean to Be a Successful CEO Today? Here's 5 Traits To Look Out For

A successful CEO builds trust, fosters a growth mindset, and leads with a strategic vision to drive sustainable growth.

Business News

Google's CEO Says AI Is Now Responsible for 25% of 'All New Code' Created at the Company

Google CEO Sundar Pichai said engineers are moving faster because of AI.