As there are now five generations represented in the work place, it has become ever more important for businesses and organizations to adopt new styles of leadership and management. No longer can bosses rule with an iron fist. These days, they must learn to adapt and lead by the inspiration of their actions.
In this age, the job of a boss is way more complex. He is no longer just leading people and managing commodities; he is going to have to rise with the challenge of leading a wide range of ideas, beliefs and filters if he is going to be successful in the workplace. If your goal is to improve camaraderie with your employees, here are five things you should do to make them love you as a boss.
1. Allow freedom of action and independence
Great bosses understand that micro management will limit the independent performance of their workers. To operate efficiently, they understand that they have to show confidence and trust in the abilities of their associates.This respect shown by a boss will lead to a mutual love and respect from the team. This will even lead to a more positive work environment. Great bosses allow and promote a system of circular leadership in the workplace. So for example, if an employee sees a need in the business that they feel requires immediate attention, they should feel empowered to take action to solve it, even if it is not in their title or job description. As employees, we may feel the need to accumulate titles and hierarchies before we are qualified to lead and inspire action. A great boss will remind his team that they are Verbs, Not Labels.
2. See your employees for who they are, not what they are
Many employees feel that they are too often seen and judged as labels. Great bosses however, see people without filters. They are not given to the perceptions of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation or titles. As they get to know their employees better, they also begin to delegate work by passion, skills and abilities; not the monotonous routine of job titles and job descriptions. A great boss thinks of people by their actions, what inspires them, and not just a part of process. To demonstrate this, Employees would like their bosses to take the time and ask them “what problems within the organization they are inspired to take action and lead change.” This way you are more likely to have a team that will work for you with blood , sweat and tears, not just people who work up to the limits of their job titles and job descriptions for a pay check.
3. Do not show favoritism
Each time you get to know a group of people, it is common to develop favorites; people you can identify with as friends. However, a great boss learns to treat everyone fairly without favoritism. Employees want to know that you will not take sides with one person over the other or treat some better than others. For example if you have a rule on tardiness, it has to apply to everyone and not just some of your employees. As long as you are fair and the rules apply to everyone, people don’t mind you being strict.
4. Lead by example
Great bosses will never ask an employee to do anything they are not willing to do themselves. Employees prefer that you lead by your inspirations. Sometimes the best way to inspire your associates is not with rousing speeches, but with your actions. Get in the fray and get your hands dirty. Standard management tactics will tell you to delegate rather than participate. However if you want your employees to love and respect you, they have to see you getting involved with them in performing daily tasks. Your employees will be inspired to lead themselves in action after they have seen you lead yourself in action. This is a new idea and concept on delegating work.
5. Listen to your employees
Bosses often do more talking than they do listening. However, a great boss knows that his employees have a perspective of the workplace that he will never see. Often times they will have knowledge of the flaws or holes in the system that you may not be aware of. By listening to your employees, you can improve the functionality and profitability of your business and prevent waste. Most businesses have daily brainstorming sessions for managers. Try involving your employees in these meetings. You may be amazed at their perspective or points of reference. Many employees hope to share their perspective and their values to the company rather than just listening to the boss like a robot. Listening to them can make them feel that they have contribution to the company.
6. Have a sense of humor
Positions of power often lead to abuse of power. The headiness of being responsible for so many people under your authority can sometimes make egos swell. Employees want to know that you are indeed still human. A great boss will temper this with a good sense of humor and not take themselves so seriously. Workplaces typically tend to mimic the personalities of their bosses. So if you are a boss hoping to gain the love and respect of your workforce, try a daily dose of humor.
7. Be inspirational
Great bosses inspire you by showing you their humanity. By sharing the struggles and difficulties of their careers, they inspire you to want to work for them. People show up every day to work for people, not titles. A great boss will temper superiority in the workplace by making himself vulnerable to his employees. For example when I worked as a manager, we were required to conduct daily five minute hurdles. While these meetings were designed to communicate the performance of the various departments to the employees, they also provided me with an appropriate opportunity to tell my workers about times I struggled to achieve results in my career and the actions I took to be better and improve. Employees want to know that it is okay to fail sometimes. With the pressures of the corporate world. bosses too often forget this and push their teams too hard.
8. Be warm and accessible
Communication is the key to any great relationship, even the relationship between a boss and their employees. A great boss needs to be understanding and approachable on a daily basis. Employees need to know that they can also come to you and seek the advice of a friend. If the boss is too intimidating or simply never around, the employees will never feel as if they can depend on them for leadership and assistance. Great bosses are loved because their employees know that they can always reach them. For example, when I worked as a manager, part of my daily routine was making sure I had a conversation with all fifty to sixty associates on my shift. I wanted them to know that I was welcoming and easy to talk to. I wanted them to know that i cared.
Being responsible for inspiring and leading others is never easy. However with these eight tips, you will be on your way to becoming a great boss.
Featured photo credit: https://gigaom.com/ via gigaom.com
