How to Become a Better Boss
By Karen Amato Schwartz, for Revive Your Life
Help your team succeed...
Some folks grumble that their supervisor shouldn’t have his or her title or does not deserve extra pay. Unfortunately, countless employees feel this way. A supervisor’s or manager’s feelings can fall into only one of two categories: they either care what their people think about them, or they don’t. Usually, if a supervisor does not, a circle of negativity spirals out of control. If stopped, the supervisor may save his own position and gain character improvement. But, when a manager does care, chances are he or she has learned that concern for workers does not diminish “power” or prestige, and a cohesive team of satisfied employees operates more efficiently and pleasantly than when “power” is lorded over them.
Quite often, bosses have a sense of whether employees like working for them, even though the manager or supervisor’s job does not always make them popular. It’s not easy to oversee operations while ensuring fairness and consistency. The best position to strive for is the role of an understanding, but firm, teacher or mentor. By displaying constant awareness and patience regarding why rules must be upheld, and applying standards equally, the boss establishes his or her position as overseer and regulator. There is no need to cross the line into enforcer or dictator, since everyone already recognizes who’s in charge. A supervisor’s inflated ego or sense of superiority will ultimately backfire; workers will seldom agree to do any more than the minimum; they will not be fully honest or open with such a manager, and the environment will fail to offer empowerment that workers need to excel.
Once managers have convinced themselves that their roles are to support the employees (and not the other way around), they should remember that they’ve been honored with a very special privilege and responsibility. Multitudes of careers have been established or diminished due to supervisory intervention. Helping employees succeed does not take away anything from the boss; in contrast, it proves how influential and motivational the boss is. It’s also clear that he or she has prepared their employee well for advancement. Ruining enthusiasm and morale is reprehensible. The future generation’s ambition should never be dampened, especially by someone they are probably trying to impress.
Next, the supervisor should take a good look at their own work ethics. Do they deserve others’ respect of his or her authority? A boss should not waste company time or resources, or request employees to be servants. (Asking workers to get coffee, go on private errands, or make personal phone calls not only belittles the employee, it is not what most workers are paid to do unless they are personal assistants.) Preaching about favorite topics is a no-no as well; it’s boring, irrelevant and unproductive. Any free time can be better spent finding out more about the employee’s goals or their ideas for change.
The final, and perhaps most important difference between a fair and great boss is humanity. That does not mean going to lunch or bars with subordinates, or taking part in office gossip. (In fact, all would be best avoided to maintain necessary distance and potential claims of partiality.) In this scenario, humanity means a few basic rules on conduct:
1. Never make derogatory or prejudicial comments; know what the phrase “politically correct” means. (It could be cause for dismissal if the manager does not.)
2. Realize that title does not offer freedom to berate those who did not share views and opinions-it could be considered a “hostile working environment”.
3. Don’t hold personal grudges against employees, keeping them from advancement or awards-again, this can come back to haunt the manager.
4. Be nice, use manners, and show consideration. Find something positive to say about and to every employee, especially when they’ve accomplished something significant. Everyone likes public acknowledgement, and compliments are appreciated and remembered.
It’s therefore not difficult to be a “great” boss. In fact, it’s the same as being a “great” person, but with the opportunity to help people along their own paths. Nothing is more fulfilling for a supervisor than to hear that they’ve been the “best boss” someone’s ever had. Not surprisingly, that subordinate has usually succeeded, with the help of the manager’s advice, training, and feedback. Clearly, the boss has succeeded as well.
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Karen, these are all great ideas. I am emailing this to a few friends that are in supervisory/management positions. Respect goes both ways along with good communication. Thanks!