What does it take to be a best-boss-ever?
Hmm…being a good boss is hard, and it takes time and work to get there.
But boy, is it worth it when you do!
Being a good boss isn’t just about being someone who makes good decisions; it’s about being someone who can connect with your team and make sure everyone is doing their best work. It’s about ensuring everyone knows they’re important and valued — and they can always come to you if they need something.
On 2021, the world’s top 10 best employers, according to Forbes, are:
- Samsung’s three CEOs, Kim Ki-Nam, Kim Hyun-Suk, and Koh, Dong-Jin
- Microsoft CEO Satya Narayana Nadella
- IBM CEO Arvind Krishna
- Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai
- Apple CEO Tim Cook
- Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian
- Costco Wholesale CEO W. Craig Jelinek
- Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen
- Southwest Airlines CEO Bob Jordan
- Dell Technologies CEO Michael S. Dell
Do you think you’re fit to compete with these A-listers?
No doubt about it, being a boss comes with a lot of responsibility. But it can also be gratifying – especially if you’re a great boss. If you’re aiming to achieve the best-boss-ever title, then here are seven ways to do it:
1. Be clear and concise with your expectations.
We all want to be the best boss ever. But what does that actually mean?
No one’s born a great boss. It’s a role that you have to grow into. And like anything else, the more you practice, the faster you’ll get there.
It doesn’t mean being the boss who is always right or never makes mistakes. Instead, it means being the boss who is clear and concise with their expectations.
The best bosses know how to communicate their vision and expectations to their team. They are clear about what they want to achieve and ensure their team understands their goals.
The best bosses also know how to give positive and constructive feedback. They let their team know what they are doing well and where to improve.
With this tip, you can start working towards making your plans and goals as straightforward as possible. If you can do that, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a great leader.
2. Be available to answer questions and provide support.
If you’re the boss, you’re responsible for many things. But one of the most important things you can do is be available to answer questions and provide support.
Of course, you can’t be available 24/7. But you can set aside some time each day to answer questions and provide support. You can also create an open-door policy where employees feel comfortable coming to you with their questions and concerns.
When your employees have questions, they need to know they can come to you for answers. And when they need support, they need to know you’re there for them. This is how you build trust and strong relationships with your team.
So if you want to be the best boss, be sure you’re always available to answer questions and provide support. Your employees will appreciate it – and your business will be better.
3. Be fair and just in your decision-making.
You want to ensure that your employees are happy and treated fairly. For instance, are their salaries equal to the tasks they are performing and are they rewarded whenever they excel at work? You also want to be sure that your employees are productive by monitoring their achievements, performance reviews, and attendance.
Work-life balance should also be considered. For example, are you providing amenities and services that promote mental health and well-being? And are you giving them time for relaxation, like social gatherings, team-building activities, gala nights, etc.? What about enough time off for their families?
4. Be open to feedback and willing to grow.
As a leader, you know that communication is the cornerstone of effective leadership. However, you must understand that communication is an ongoing process. It’s not about occasional conversations; it’s about continuous discussion within your organization.
And you must be the one to drive the dialogue. That means giving feedback regularly and being open to receiving feedback about your performance. That might seem scary, but if you want to take your leadership and organization to the next level, you must create a feedback culture.
You can do this by hosting bi-yearly or annual forums to talk about your company’s progress, strengths and weaknesses, and areas of improvement. By holding an open mic and safe space to voice their concerns and working on them, you are opening up an avenue to win their trust and loyalty.
5. Be genuine and authentic in your interactions.
First and foremost, authenticity at work means being yourself and showing your true colors. That means not feeling like you have to act a certain way or be someone you’re not.
This is as important as ever in a world where home and work are blended. It’s tiring trying to separate a work persona from an outside-of-work one.
As a leader, it’s just as important to manage your team authentically. This is where creating a work environment that welcomes and promotes authenticity comes in.
It’s essential to be sure your team members feel seen and valued for who they are and not just what they contribute to the team. But the really tough part? Showing that authenticity yourself by owning your mistakes, bringing up your own questions, and celebrating your own wins.
6. Be encouraging and motivating.
It’s been said before, but it’s hard to overemphasize the need for managers to show concern for their employees as people. That means taking the time to ask about their holidays, families, hobbies, and interests.
It also means giving them a chance to get to know you.
When there’s too much work to be done in too few hours, it can seem like taking time for personal interaction is wasted energy. However, knowing your team members’ interests and stresses inside and outside the office can be a powerful ally in helping you find the best ways to encourage and influence them to optimum productivity.
This doesn’t mean you have to be your employees’ best friend. Human beings perceive interest as caring. Managers who make employees feel their boss cares about them as more than a cog in the wheel engender loyalty and motivate employees to work harder. That’s the key to inspiring employees.
If you are the CEO of a large company, you may not be able to get to know each of your employees personally. But be sure to prioritize your relationships with middle management, and encourage them to use the same approach with employees under them.
The corporate culture and values are transmitted from the top down. And in rare cases, you may have reason to listen to a rank-and-file employee when there’s a special need. Again, your goal is to create a culture of openness and communication that supports and encourages everyone in the company.
7. Be respectful and always keep your word.
What does it mean to “keep your word”? Essentially, it’s doing what you say you’ll do.
When you tell your colleagues that you’ll chair next week’s meeting, you turn up on time and do a good job. Or when you inform your manager that you’ll have completed that report by tomorrow morning, you deliver it.
Over time, honoring your promises (no matter how small) can earn you an enviable reputation for dependability, reliability, and trustworthiness. This, in turn, can help you to develop and deepen your work relationships.
Want a long-lasting relationship with your employees?
Being the best boss could also mean giving rewards of relaxation.
You can promise a free family day at a nearby private resort for the whole team, or treat them to mind-blowing entertainment.
If you’re thinking about an astonishing performance to wow your employees, you’re thinking about Amir Lustig.
Amir is a world-renowned mentalist and magician who helps CEOs maintain healthy workplace relationships through his personalized performances at corporate events and celebrations.
His astonishing performance will level up your celebration, making it more special and memorable for your employees.
Sound interesting?
To learn more about Amir, visit amirlustigasia.com