The most common saying in professional life is. People don’t leave companies, they leave their managers! And as a learning and development head for many companies, I was responsible for creating/ implementing hundreds of Leadership skills programs for young managers- teaching them skills around people management. I am convinced that companies that pay attention to these areas of leadership skills, always reap rich dividends with retention of top talent!

But the responsibility of the individual in this manager/employee relationship is also very Key. In my years of experience working with different senior leaders, I feel my style was always of treating my Boss as my first client! Their requirement, their urgency, their style of working was always on top of my mind. That does not mean sychophancy… I think it shows respect and a sense of pride-of being part of a leader’s team. To be honest, I did face lack of trust, or difficult times… but all the top leaders demonstrated one thing-Emotional regulation! A leader who is able to control their emotions has won the game!I recall one of my lady bosses had an impatient tone and would at times raise her voice… but she would counter it later saying ”it’s not personal… don’t take it to heart”. Easier said than done..:) I personally as a boss, never lost my temper with my team members… I was always the “calm” and “composed” leader. More about leadership traits later…