How Manager Behavior Impacts Hiring and Retention Outcomes
In hospitality, your front-line managers are more than task delegators—they’re culture setters, retention influencers, and often, the first reason someone either accepts or declines a job offer. In fact, manager behavior can make or break your hiring and retention outcomes.
First Impressions Start with Management
When candidates step in for an interview, they’re not just evaluating the job—they’re evaluating leadership. A warm, respectful, and communicative manager leaves a lasting impression. On the flip side, rigid or dismissive interactions during hiring can turn top talent away before they even sign on. According to Gallup, 50% of employees have left a job to “get away” from a manager.
The behavior of your hiring managers is often a preview of the workplace culture. And in hospitality, where emotional intelligence matters as much as technical skill, this preview is everything.
Manager Behavior Drives Retention
Once an employee is on the floor, manager behavior becomes a daily influence on whether they stay or go. Consistent support, clear expectations, and empathetic leadership reduce burnout and boost job satisfaction. Conversely, micromanagement, unclear communication, or lack of appreciation are leading causes of high turnover—an expensive issue in our industry.
A 2023 report by SHRM found that employees who rated their managers as effective were 70% less likely to be actively looking for a new job. That’s a retention metric you can’t ignore.
Train Your Managers Like You Train Your Staff
Many hospitality businesses invest heavily in onboarding and training frontline staff but forget to give managers the same attention. If you want to improve your hiring outcomes, start by giving managers the tools to lead effectively. This includes:
- Training in emotional intelligence and communication
- Conflict resolution techniques
- Coaching on providing constructive feedback
- Clear hiring and onboarding frameworks
When managers feel equipped and supported, they lead better—and that energy trickles down to every team member.
Elevating Manager Behavior with the Right Tools
At the end of the day, you can’t manage what you don’t measure. Encourage feedback loops between employees and management. Build a culture of accountability and praise. Recognize that manager behavior is not just an HR concern—it’s a bottom-line issue.
StaffedUp makes it easier to identify and support great hires from the start. By streamlining your hiring process and giving managers visibility into talent pipelines, we help you build stronger teams—and retain them longer.
Ready to empower your managers with better hiring tools? Let StaffedUp help you make smarter hires and reduce churn.
