BY PETER (DUKE) DUKLIS (P387)

Employees don’t leave organizations, they leave bad bosses. The worst place an employee can be is stuck in an organization with a micromanager who doesn’t care about their development and where there are no opportunities for growth and advancement.

”An employee’s motivation is a direct result of the sum of interactions with his or her manager.” – Bob Nelson

No matter how great a company’s products or services may be, if management is dysfunctional, that company will have serious problems. The typical “bad boss” spends his or her time directing and monitoring employees rather than empowering them. Micromanaging is oppressive, fosters anxiety, and creates a high-stress work environment. Eventually, employees will become disenchanted and quit to work for another company.

A boss sets the tone. One study found that a bad boss can take a negative toll on employees’ mental and physical health. Yes, a bad boss can make employees sick. There is nothing like having a boss who genuinely cares about the team. Such bosses make the working experience so much better. They support, empower, and appreciate their employees. Employees will be willing to do more and give more. Most companies don’t currently think about great managers as a benefit or publicize that benefit to prospective employees, but it is the best incentive for retaining good employees.

September Is National Preparedness Month 

National Preparedness Month is part of a governmental effort to strengthen the United States’ preparedness capabilities. The national preparedness architecture encompasses prevention, protection, response, and recovery efforts to prepare the United States for all hazards—whether terrorist attack or natural disaster. 

Since September 11, 2001, the U.S. Government has taken steps to encourage all citizens to make their own survival preparations. September was chosen as National Preparedness Month, as the tragedies of September 11, 2001, highlight to the nation the importance of being prepared. Also, September has been chosen partly because the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season is in the middle of this month.

The National Household Survey revealed that, as of 2016, while more that 75% of Americans surveyed report having supplies set aside in their homes just for disasters, less than 50% have a household emergency plan. National Preparedness Month serves to encourage individuals across the nation to take important preparedness steps, including getting an emergency supply kit, making a family emergency plan, being informed about the different emergencies that may affect them, and taking the necessary steps to get trained and become engaged in community preparedness and response efforts. 

Sample Emergency Kit Checklist

• Prescription medications and glasses
• Infant formula and diapers
• Bottled water 2 gallons per person (minimum)
• Pet food and extra water for your pet
• Multifunctional tool and/or sturdy knife
• Portable radio
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Important family documents, such as copies of insurance policies, identification, and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container
• Cash or traveler’s checks and change
• Emergency reference material, such as a first aid book or information from www.ready.gov
• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person; consider additional bedding in a cold-weather climate
• Complete change of clothing, including a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and sturdy shoes; consider additional clothing  in a cold-weather climate
• Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper – When diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented or color safe bleaches or ones with added cleaners.
• Fire extinguisher
• Matches in a waterproof container 
• Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
• Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels
• Paper and pencil
• Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children
• Anything else you deem important or necessary

Leadership Quote of the Month:
“It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation, and only one bad one to lose it.”
Benjamin Franklin