8 secrets to spotting when your team is in trouble

These red flags could signal troubled times ahead for your group…and your bottom line.

by. Drs. Dennis and Michelle Reina

Are your employees stressed out? According to recent research from Monster.com, they probably are. In April, the company released findings from an international survey looking into workplace stress. The poll’s revelations were grim, with 42 percent of U.S. respondents revealing they had “purposely changed jobs due to a stressful work environment.” Even more troubling was the news that 66 percent of their employers had done “nothing” to alleviate the stress that had precipitated their resignations.

Considering that turnover can cost an organization up to 213 percent of a high-impact employee’s salary, savvy leaders know it’s important to appreciate that big problems start with small signs. Drs. Dennis and Michelle Reina (authors of Trust and Betrayal in the Workplace and Rebuilding Trust in the Workplace) have pinpointed eight common behaviors team leaders should look for and address before they escalate into big organizational failures–lost contracts, missed deadlines, budget overruns, and the loss of key team members.

Gossiping: Instead of talking directly to the individual causing concern, team members talk about the issue to everyone else. Gossip and “back biting” become the norm, and serve as destructive outlets to relieve stress.

Engaging in “The Blame Game”: When taking a risk that doesn’t produce immediate results, team members point their fingers at others, rather than treating the situation as a learning opportunity for the good of the organization.

Going through the motions: Rather than bringing their best effort forward, team members simply go through the motions to meet the status quo.  “This organization won’t get any more from me” becomes their inner mantra.

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