It is a common saying in the working world that “people don’t quit jobs, they quit bosses.” Drawing from my experience as an employee in both Western Europe and North America — and having served clients across nine countries and 31 states over the last 20 years — I have uncovered three other top drivers for why people quit:
- The Hopscotcher
We were first brought in by a client to work with a senior HR leader on an initiative she’d dreamed up and she wanted a vendor partner like us to help her implement it.
The leader was difficult — demanding and self-centered. She had a bullying temperament with her team, though she never actually used the word “team” when venting her annoyances to us. Instead, she called them “my employees,” seemingly forgetting that she, too, was a W-2.
After a couple of years, she jumped ship. The good news for us was that she brought us with her to this new gig to roll out the same initiative that had made her look so good at the first company. We just changed the logo for her.
Within 12 months, she tired of employer No. 2 and hopscotched her way to a third. She confided in us that each move came with a significant salary bump — less of a “loyalty” bonus and more of a “because she left them — she must be good” bonus for her new employer. We just changed the logo again.
Before the ink was dry on that contract, she was on to gig No. 4. We changed the logo for the fourth time. Again, she asked us to help roll out her “red carpet of a program” that she used to parade toward the back door — eventually “retiring to other meaningful projects” after only 12 months of running in circles at that workplace.
I have seen many “hopscotchers” at work. Their loyalty is limited, their vision extends only to the next paycheck, and they view others as mere pawns in a game of career chess they play alone.
Sadly, for the Hopscotcher, no one remembers them after they’ve moved on — except for the mess left behind for others to clean up. We deleted the logo.
- Buried, Slammed and Crazy Busy
I’ve written about these siblings before: Buried, Slammed and Crazy Busy. You’ve likely seen their extended family members in your own workplace. Always behind. Always scrambling. Always late. The only time they truly focus is when sharing their burdens with others around the water coolers of the world to waste more time.
One of the questions I’ve asked audiences all over the world as a keynote speaker is: “By a show of hands, who here is massively impressed by Buried, Slammed or Crazy Busy?” I have never — and I mean ever — had someone raise their hand.
I’ve come to the conclusion that such people create a “big ball of noise” that they carry around to make themselves look important and irreplaceable. Reality, of course, always catches up because of the simple principle of the Law of the Harvest: we reap what we sow. As John Wooden once said, “Never mistake activity for achievement!”
Buried, Slammed and Crazy Busy eventually get found out for the economic fraudsters they are. To avoid being fired, they often find another job and blame their previous employer for “creating a hostile work environment,” not “offering enough wellness education,” or — the new favorite — “not creating psychological safety.”
The reality, however, is much simpler: They weren’t getting things done, and the boss finally got fed up with the noise and nonsense in lieu of actual production.
- Me, Myself and I
The final top reason I’ve observed as to why people leave is that some employees are focused solely on serving three specific colleagues: Me, Myself and I.
Very few people in today’s tumultuous workplaces possess the loyalty our grandparents had for their work. While many factors have brought us to this point, it is fair to say that those who are restless of heart and self-centered tend to quit and move much more often than those who possess a spirit to serve their customers and colleagues — come rain or shine.
Paul Butler is a Santa Clarita resident and a client partner with Newleaf Training and Development of Valencia (newleaftd.com). For questions or comments, email Butler at [email protected].
