Leading is hard enough in "normal" times -- and is even more difficult in today's challenging times. Dealing with supply chain disruptions, viruses, economic changes, and shifts in expectations, needs, and demands can drive leaders to exhaustion.

Efforts to change and improve business operations do not, however, always achieve the intended results. Such shortcomings typically result when leaders fail in one or more of the following five ways. 

The ABC network's respectful treatment of longtime Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek through his battle with cancer exemplifies compassion. Even as his health deteriorated, they supported his desire to continue working as long as possible, which he did until shortly before his death in November 2020. Their actions follow three key principles for treating with compassion an employee who is navigating a serious medical condition.

An effective manager takes a human-centric coaching approach to management rather than simply focus on pushing business needs forward. Effective managers don't just motivate their direct reports to perform but increase their teams' capabilities by helping individuals hone and leverage their unique strengths, creating consistent feedback loops, and challenging their reports to reach their full potential. Great managers boost all areas that drive an organization's success, including employee engagement, growth and development, productivity, and attrition. Unfortunately, most managers lack the right tools, structure, and practices they need to be effective.

Everyone has to deal with various ups and downs in their work relationships. Sometimes the coworkers are great and the bosses are nightmares - or the other way around. When employees and managers work well together, though, those relationships can yield plenty of benefits for everyone involved (including the organization in general). For that reason, companies should prioritize building and nurturing healthy employee-manager relationships, starting with these three strategies.