One important aspect of business which should not be taken lightly is being a leader. As a boss you have the ability to inspire employees, create an effective workplace and ultimately influence the success of your company. These 3 tips will set you on the right path to being a great boss!
MSN Careers shares…
1. Leading by example
Nobody respects a hypocrite. A boss who wants improvements from her team, whether that change is better preparation for meetings or greater creativity when tackling problems, needs to be a role model.
“Don’t just talk the talk; walk the walk, too,” says Tracy A. Cashman, partner and general manager of the information technology group at Winter, Wyman, one of the largest staffing firms in the Northeast. “If your team sees that you are truly committed to something through your actions, they will be much more likely to buy in.”
Likewise, it is important to demonstrate that accountability is expected at all levels. “If you make a mistake, don’t be afraid to admit it,” Cashman says. “And then make it a lesson: What did you learn? How did you recover from it? That shows you to be a much bigger person than pretending you’re perfect.”
2. Communicating effectively
Employees can’t perform up to their full potential if they are not given clear information. Besides providing the basics such as expectations and due dates, a great boss helps his team see the bigger picture.
“Make sure your people know why they are doing what they are doing. If there isn’t 100 percent understanding and belief, then you will get less than 100 percent effort,” says Stuart Coleman, partner and general manager of financial contracting at Winter, Wyman.
3. Demonstrating concern
Workers like to know that their boss cares about them. Taking time to inquire about a recent vacation or express good wishes over a child’s graduation shows an interest in the person’s life outside the office.
“Research has shown over and over again that we like working with people we think care about us personally. That means listening, and that means asking questions to get to know who we are at a deeper level,” says Alan Vengel, a consultant on workplace issues and author of “Twenty Minutes to a Top Performer” and “The Influence Edge.”
Concern for people as workers is important, too. An employee who knows that his boss has his best interests at heart and is willing to go to bat for him will tend to reciprocate that loyalty.
“We want a sense that our boss will help us get ahead,” Vengel says. “That does not mean promotion or more money; what it really means is helping us to develop our skills and our competencies.”
Get more information at MSN Careers!
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