How Many Of These Qualities Of A Great Boss Do You Have?
As an employee, when you have a great boss, it really hits you like a blast of fresh air. Good bosses organize their people and get their work done. Great bosses become the core of a business, energise everyone beneath them and blaze a trail. It can be hard to pinpoint what makes a great boss initially. But there are traits that a lot of them share. A lot of them that you can start to work towards adopting to be that great boss.
Leadership
This quality is more than just the ability to boss people around. Being a true leader means being able to rally your troops around you. It means being able to motivate them and get them on board. Leaders notice when people aren’t ‘with’ the company goal or don’t fully understand their objectives. They help people not only understand their tasks and what they have to do, they give them the understanding of why they need to do it. If your team doesn’t seem driven or to fully understand why they’re doing what they’re doing, it could be a sign of poor leadership. A great leader helps their people set goals for themselves.
Communication
That’s not to say that you’re giving them one-way directions. If people are afraid to communicate with their boss, there’s a lot being left unsaid. Mistakes might get covered up, issues ignored. The strains that can crack a team can find their way in all the more easily. You need to find the ways to communicate effectively in the workplace. For instance, start by getting people more engaged in team meetings. Take turns asking individuals if they have any questions or issues they, in particular, want addressed.
Insight
Sometimes, you have to be the one to reach the hand out as well. A great boss pays attention to their staff and notices if any problems lurk under the surface. They also have the insight to understand the organization and strengths of their team. They spot skills and keep them in mind when it comes time to delegate. They understand the culture of the workplace and work towards making it happier and healthier.
Assertiveness
That said, a great boss doesn’t bend to the whims of their employees. They understand concerns and take them into account. However, they have to be willing to follow their gut and make decisions on their own. They also have to be direct in approaching problems in the workplace. If someone isn’t pulling their weight or failing tasks, you can’t ignore it. Be willing to address problems even when they might be difficult to approach. To figure out if you need to become more assertive, it can be helpful to use things like a free assertiveness test. Your own problems and shortcomings are also things that need the direct approach.
Positivity
Work isn’t always a pleasant thing. Deadlines, failings, and crises will pop up. It’s important that you’re not afraid to show your emotions during these troubling times. Bosses can get angry, yes. But they should use that energy to enthuse their employees. Even in the darkest moments, you have to be the anchor in the storm. You have to be able to remain positive. Not only to reassure your staff. You need to keep an even head so that you can come up with effective plans of action even under stress.
Attention
When things are going well, then it’s time to get even more positive. As well as paying attention to the skills and culture of the workplace, make sure you pay attention to individual excellence. Recognize and reward your employees when they go above and beyond or when they succeed at a task they’ve never done before. Thank them for doing any positive standard of work. Unlike reprimands, which should be kept quiet, be public with your praise. A little physical reward to go along with verbal appreciation is always welcome, too. You can use programmes like Perkbox to give that added bit of gratitude.
Responsibility
Just as credit must be given, responsibility must be taken. Accountability is vital in the office. It creates a frank approach to problems and allows you to pinpoint and work on the source. Responsibility begins from the top. If you make a mistake or have a part in a problem, admit to it. Be honest with your employees. If you set an example of passing the buck, you’re passing that attitude unto your people. You will teach them the habit of self-preservation over reflection and improvement. That’s a very easy way to create a hostile work environment.
Value
Great bosses appreciate and value their people. They show that by putting some effort into them. They work to retain those they want to keep and see potential in. They offering proper training and development. Whether it’s cross-training, mentoring or hiring someone in to come and teach skills. They lay out a plan for them and even show them the potential for growth within the company. While it’s good to retain employees, it’s also good to recognise when they don’t have any further to grow in the company. You don’t have to fire them, but you might want to let them know how you truly feel about their future.
Humility
Perhaps most importantly, the boss doesn’t take credit. The boss understands that everything they do is a product of the team that facilitated it. They appreciate work, no matter what it is. They also understand this important lesson: you are not above the work your employees do. While you have responsibilities that will often keep you busy, your spare time should be used working right alongside them. You need to be willing to get your hands dirty with some real work. It is not only great for office morale. It better helps you understand the work your employees are doing.
So, how many of the traits above do you think you share? What can you do to start being the boss you want to be? We hope these points help you break out of that shell and be the leader you should be.