Bosses are often the primary reason for people either loving or leaving their jobs.
A boss is the umbilical cord that connects employees to an organisation. When I look back today, I feel great that I had great bosses who inspired me from time to time.
What makes a great boss really? It’s a tough question to answer because different people will define it differently. I thought of sharing my learning curve.
A great boss is direct, but sensitive. He realises that communication is essential to build a great and effective team.
Great Bosses believe that company is a community and not a machine, they see their company as a collection of individual hopes and dreams, all connected to a higher purpose. They inspire employees to dedicate themselves to the success of their peers. A great boss sits down with an employee right from the beginning and identifies priorities.
A great boss views his position as both a leader and a coach, someone who educates and encourages, who leads the team by example.
They set a general direction and then commit themselves to obtaining the resources that their employees need to get the job done. They strongly believe that management is service and not all about control.
Great boss stops by and says hello. He makes himself available. No matter what he is doing, when employees speak, he will stop and give them full attention. They treat every employee as if he or she were the most important person in the firm. They have this firm belief that "My employees are my peers, not my children".
They inspire people to see a better future and how they'll be a part of it. As a result, employees work harder because they believe in the organisation's goals, truly enjoy what they're doing and of course know they'll share in the rewards. A great boss observes his employees to find out what they do best. He talks to them about what aspects of their job they enjoy the most. A great boss taps into and leverages the instincts and skills his employees have.
They see change as an inevitable part of life. While they don't value change for its own sake, they know that success is only possible if employees and organisation embrace new ideas and new ways of doing business. An effective boss encourages his employees not to be scared of making mistakes along the way.
I am thankful to all my bosses from whom I learned the way we can make difference, positive impact in the lives of the people around us. Wishing you all the best and be a 'Great Boss.'
The writer is an international adviser
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