Your success as a boss deserves to be celebrated, but you must be able to be a respected boss, able to lead well, and be liked by subordinates. What should you do to make them want to give their best? The answer: be a good boss. This article provides instructions for leading a small-scale company in a relaxed working environment. If you're the boss at a large company with a formal organization, read the wikiHow article “How to Be a Good Manager” because some of the suggestions in this article may not work for large companies. The following guidelines apply to superiors who have full authority, such as business owners or managers in small companies. You can become the best boss by giving trust and appreciation to your subordinates.
Step
Step 1. Realize that the success of a company leader depends on the performance of his employees
Being a boss doesn't mean that you are the only one who deserves credit for the company's success. All employees are responsible for completing a pile of work. You are responsible for leading them to give their best work performance, comply with regulations, etc.
Step 2. Delegate responsibility and trust others
Appreciate the work of subordinates and respect all team members. If you have already trained one of the staff, let him work independently. Everyone has a different way of working, but it's just as good. Before you demand that someone else use the method you want, evaluate the way he or she is using it. If the result is good, give honest feedback and let it work its own way, even if it's different. The habit of correcting makes subordinates less confident and does not develop.
Step 3. Get to know your subordinates to find out your strengths
Pay attention to all staff so that you get to know them one by one and find out their motives. That way, you can enhance, adjust, and align the motif with your goals. Employees who excel have a greater chance of being promoted. You are certainly able to distinguish employees who simply fulfill their obligations with employees who work wholeheartedly because they want to give their best.
Step 4. Good bosses feel confident that their staff can be relied on
For a good boss, an employee who excels is not a threat, but an incompetent boss will see this as a threat because he thinks only he is capable of doing certain tasks.
Step 5. Provide support so that your staff can make their own decisions
Don't doubt his abilities. If you have trained someone to hold certain powers on your behalf, trust that he or she will do their best to serve the interests of you and the company. If he makes the wrong decision or handles a problem in a way you don't agree with, don't criticize or get angry. Instead, take this opportunity to continue providing training. Ask him to explain because often, once you understand the context, it turns out that he made a logical decision.
Step 6. Teach how to solve problems independently and not involve you
If a subordinate comes to you to share a conflict with a coworker, listen carefully to the explanation. Help him resolve the conflict if this is due to other staff shirking responsibilities or being mean to him. However, let them resolve the conflict themselves if the problem is caused by competition or a personal fight.
- Take time to talk to conflicted subordinates to determine if the problem is caused by the personality aspect in question. Use this opportunity to explain that they don't need to be good friends, but that they should interact and work well.
- Tell them that you trust their ability and willingness to maintain a good relationship. Let those looking for a solution resolve the conflict, but monitor it without getting involved. If they fight in front of customers, stop immediately.
Step 7. Resolve the problem head-on as quickly as possible
Busy bosses tend to overlook the details and just want to know the end result. Don't ignore the other person's feelings and let them wonder. If there's a problem, tell the truth, but don't hurt other people's feelings. Use this method to provide solutions quickly, honestly, and respectfully. Instead of procrastinating, complete the tasks you have to do. If a subordinate makes a mistake, explain that his actions are unacceptable. Remember that you are giving a warning so that he can work more productively and appreciate you, not to bring down a subordinate, especially in front of other people. For example:
- You: “Evan, can you come to my study?” (Say this in a neutral or friendly tone of voice. Do not reprimand subordinates in front of customers or other coworkers while throwing a tantrum or yelling, for example: "Evan, I'm waiting in my office NOW.") This conversation is only between you and Evan. So, no need for other people to know:
- You: “Evan, your phone rang earlier. Is there any important news from your family?”
- Evan: “Yeah, my dad called for help…”
- You: “Okay, I understand. We are obliged to help our parents, but when we are in the living room, we are not allowed to take calls for personal matters.”
- Evan: “Sorry, I had to because my dad was very busy and wanted to talk for a bit.” (This reasoning is not relevant to the actual problem or the subject to be discussed).
- You: “I see, but you should be out of the living room if you want to have a private conversation. Customers who are not served see you put your personal interests first will feel very disappointed with our company because of your treatment. The customer should always be prioritized, unless you're having an emergency."
- Evan: “Sorry, I made a mistake.”
- You are good. I'm glad you understand. While at work, arrange for phone calls to connect to voice mail, but at least you can leave the living room if you still need to talk on the phone.”
- End the conversation. Do not exaggerate the problem or continue to blame subordinates. Let him get back to work. You don't need to praise your subordinates because all he needs to know is (A) the rules at work regarding chatting on the phone for personal matters and (B) understanding and applying work discipline. As a good boss, you should (A) be able to control your emotions in order to provide direction, (B) be nice and stay calm, but speak firmly and clearly when making corrections to your subordinates to improve their behavior and share your expectations. Excessive praise, talking about the personal affairs of subordinates, or getting angry and prolonging the conversation are just a waste of time. Get the point across in a straightforward manner, but don't yell at or exaggerate the problem.
Step 8. Tell all subordinates that you value them
If possible, convey this in front of the customer. Do not hesitate to provide assistance, praise, and thanks to subordinates who have provided the best service. Customers who know that you value their subordinates will feel more confident in the services the company provides. Subordinates who feel valued and appreciated will interpret their work more than just wanting to get a salary. Customers who know that you can rely on their staff will feel confident in the quality of service they provide. In addition, you can entrust customers to your subordinates because they have high work capabilities. Are you able to see that this method will bring good for all parties? Appreciating subordinates in front of customers makes everything go well and pleasant.
Step 9. Show appreciation by doing things for subordinates
Give all the staff a fair amount of help and attention because they have worked hard for you.
Step 10. Be a good listener
Take time to listen to subordinates who are talking about problems. Let him talk to the end before you speak. Don't assume that you already know what he's trying to say by thinking about what to say against him while he's still talking. Instead, listen to the explanation through to the end without making excuses to refute it. Try to get to the heart of what he's talking about, but that doesn't mean you agree. If necessary, repeat important points in your own words for confirmation. Instead of acting, you just need to listen to make him feel cared for and appreciated. Often times, saying “Thanks for telling me this” is the best way to make your subordinates feel heard.
Step 11. Get in the habit of thanking your subordinates for the work they do
Step 12. Give praise to subordinates who do well
Many people rarely get compliments in everyday life.
Tips
- Do not be close friends with subordinates. Get in the habit of communicating in a professional language, at least at work. Being nice takes the same amount of time as being curt, rude, or grumpy, if not less. In return, you will be treated well by subordinates.
- Do not reprimand all employees for the fault of one person. For example: Susan arrives late almost every day, while the other employees arrive on time. Instead of emailing all the staff about the importance of time discipline, meet Susan to discuss the matter.
- If your staff provides evidence of other staff's unethical (even potentially unlawful) actions, don't just promise that you will address the issue. Subordinates will not appreciate you if this behavior continues and you do not take action.
- Give it some tolerance. Working all day and having almost no time for personal life can have a huge impact on employees at work. Personal problems may make him irritable and less productive. However, remember that personal matters must be resolved on their own outside of work hours. You should reprimand subordinates who often have personal problems. If this is rare, try to understand that every human being has limitations.
- Try to understand that you may be dealing with staff who are unable to control themselves. If he's not used to behaving this way, treat your staff humanely, not as objects, numbers, or stockpiles in a warehouse. Give him the opportunity to work through his personal problems, even if he brings them to work, as long as this doesn't continue or threaten your safety.
- If your company has to tighten your budget, you can save money by being a good boss. Many studies show that staff who are cared for and appreciated are more motivated because they feel valued, are able to respect their boss and the company, and are trusted to take on great responsibilities, rather than money.
- Small business owners may only be able to provide very small bonuses. Instead of handing out a 1 month salary bonus, have a meal together at your home if possible. Staff will be touched that you (A) invite them to your home, (B) spend money to provide meals, (C) host a fun and intimate event by bringing all the employees together. Remember that small bonuses may be easily forgotten, but the togetherness will last a lifetime. A small, themed party that is cost-effective can bring joy and happiness.
- One way to remind yourself to treat your staff well is to imagine them as customers you are serving well. Customers will always get priority. Sometimes, you give a customer a gift to say thank you or increase loyalty. When serving customers, you strive to make a pleasant facial expression and treat customers with respect, no matter what mood you're in. Do the same for staff who have worked well because after working hours, they are just like the customers you serve well. So treat them well! This method will increase work morale because subordinates feel more valued so that business activities will increase.
- Ask for input from subordinates by inviting them to have a one-on-one discussion to show that you value their opinions and provide opportunities for each employee to provide input to the company. This way makes them feel more valued than just saying you appreciate them.
- Realize that there are things you need to learn to be a boss. Many people are promoted to superiors because they are able to become outstanding employees. However, the boss's duties are very different and sometimes you have to face things that require consideration. You can't be a good boss if you don't want to learn. Instead, you will continue to be a good subordinate to the new boss.
- Being a good boss is not being a king or queen. You have to rely on other people, get them to be loyal to you, and willing to do the things you want. Remind them that anywhere and anytime, including outside business hours, they are representatives of you and the company. Using this perspective to remember staff is a useful way because they will feel very interested in the company. In addition, the outstanding staff will give their best to support you beyond just fulfilling the task.
- Create a pleasant work atmosphere. Take time to joke with staff and build friendships so they feel closer to you as a friend. Let them address you as “the queen” or “captain” for a more intimate feel. You can also greet your subordinates "prince" or "princess" to make the work atmosphere more pleasant. This makes staff feel recognized as members of the “kingdom” you lead, rather than simply being minions. While you need to maintain your authority as a leader, you also need to be able to interact. (Try to understand your subordinates through their demeanor. For example: a subordinate who bows and greets you “queen” personally or wholeheartedly shows that he respects, admires, and is willing to give the best work performance for you and the company).
Warning
- You will feel indebted to subordinates who do well and show loyalty, but you will be free if you always respect them.
- Do not give praise or flattery when you are counseling or reprimanding an undisciplined subordinate. In the "Evan" example above, you might sound weak because you started the conversation by praising your subordinate to get him to admit he was wrong. This method is similar to giving a bribe to get him to accept the advice you give. If Evan is a bad employee, he should understand that being summoned to his boss means he's not doing a good job, but you'll sound weak if you can't sort things out. Instead of blaming, immediately tell how to behave properly so that each subordinate is able to work well. If you've provided the briefing at the right time, they won't do anything wrong.
- The position of boss is not necessarily suitable for everyone. If you are a company owner, hire a manager to be your boss and act as a liaison between you and your staff. If you get promoted, find another position so you don't have to make managerial decisions. You have to have a certain personality to be a boss. If not, try to find out about this and make the right decision.
