Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Can you be an effective boss?

READ AND UNDERSTAND!

Question:
When I was a subordinate, I complained about how my bosses were unforgiving and emotionally volatile. They exploded at the smallest mistakes, such as being five minutes late for a meeting. Now that I've been promoted to a managerial position, I realise how a minor oversight can lead to serious consequences for the company. How can I be strict and impartial without having to turn into "that horrible boss I had at my last job"?
      
Answer:
Congratulations on moving up the corporate ladder and recognising that being a grouch is just going to scare employees away!
Being a good boss is a craft that takes a while to master. It takes three things to be an inspiring leader in the workplace: strategic thinking, emotional intelligence and a passion for helping employees do their best, even in the face of hardship. Traits such as insensitivity, poor communication skills, and lack of integrity will only make your employees fear and dislike you.
If you don't want to end up being a horrible boss and have your employees despise you, here are some steps that you can take:
Respect and engage employees
Remember, your employees are your most valuable asset as they drive any business forward. To make them feel valued, you should actively involve them in decision making, be open to their suggestions and take action on their concerns.
Empower your employees
Show your employees ample support and trust by granting them greater autonomy in their work. Instead of constantly spoon-feeding them with ideas and solutions, allow them to apply their skills and do things their way.
Establish clear communication
Miscommunication can cause major confusion around the workplace. As a boss, it's your duty to communicate expectations clearly and frequently, be it verbally or through email. Don't assume that employees will automatically understand your instructions. Instead, invite them to ask questions and restate your expectations in their own words.
Take good care of their welfare
Remember that your employees have a life outside of the workplace, so avoid keeping them behind till late when a task can actually be completed the following day. Be accommodating when an employee has to take some time off to settle family or personal matters. This also ensures that their work performance won't be undermined due to lack of concentration, which can lead to a dip in productivity.

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