5 Signs You're a Great Boss
|
|
CREDIT: Masta4650 | Dreamstime.com
|
Think you're a great boss? Every boss does. But if every boss really were good at their job, there wouldn't be so many boss horror stories, right? We asked five business and leadership experts to tell us what traits truly make a great boss.
You possess a strong desire to see your employees develop and succeed.
"When we get a great employee , we want to keep them where they are because they are so productive, despite it likely not being in their best interest long-term. Try to look at things from their perspective and mold the position you have for them into something that they can continue to grow into. If they've stopped learning and developing, they won't stay with you for very long. Sometimes you can support their growth within your company, and sometimes the next logical step is for them to move on to another opportunity." -- Evan Carmichael, founder of Evancarmichael.com, which provides expert business advice to entrepreneurs.
You possess a sense of self-mastery.
"Self-mastery is about knowing who you are as a leader, what your personal vision is for yourself and your life, and what your own leadership style is. A good leader needs to understand his or her own performance dynamics before making demands on others. Mastering your own sense of self and knowing how you best use your own mental energy, as well as your own strengths and weaknesses, helps you be a more thoughtful and aware leader." -- Jeri Denniston, certified strategic management professional for the Haines Centre for Strategic Management.
You are candid.
"Great bosses give feedback. The good, the bad and the ugly. You know that spinach leaf that gets stuck in your teeth after lunch? Don’t you want someone to tell you about it? Your direct reports want feedback, and it's crucial in making your team as productive as possible." -- Brad Karsh, president of JB Training Solutions.
You are relentlessness.
“Besides getting things done and meeting performance objectives, you must shepherd your people through every hard turn. Your principal rewards for success are keeping your job and receiving even more responsibilities and challenges.
The best bosses keep chipping away at a huge pile of tasks — some interesting, others dull but necessary.” -- Maynard Brusman, consulting psychologist and executive coach at Working Resources.
You are a transformational leader.
"The ability to transform employees from self-centered performance to organizational goals. This is demonstrated on the boss’ ability to know the employee, understand the employee’s needs, wants and motivators, and transform this into the attainment of organizational goals." -- Robin James, co-coordinator of the William Rainey Harper College Management Department.
- Professor Says 'Horrible Bosses' Movie Has a Ring of Reality
- Charismatic Leaders Are Like Magicians
- The Pros of Having a Jerk for a Boss