The Staples of a Good Boss

There’s no shortage of things that can influence the overall success or failure of a business, but some are less obvious than others. Take leadership, for example. It’s no secret that the failure of many businesses is attributed to poor management, and in some cases that comes down to the actions of one specific person. Entrepreneurs can often find themselves with a team of employees without having any prior experience in leading a team.

Some people are effortless good bosses, but that’s not usually the case. Those positive qualities have to be nurtured. In this post, we’ll look at some of the key ingredients that make up a good boss. If you’ve recently hired a team or just wish to improve, then keep the following in mind. 

Listening to Employees

Some bosses think that it’s a one-way street with their employees. But it’s not. It’s a two-way relationship, one that allows both employer and employee to speak and be heard. You’ll have your own ideas and visions about what you want from your business, but it’s recommended to be somewhat flexible in how you get there. The best employees will have their own preferences and how to work, and so long as the work gets done, then it shouldn’t matter if the working practices differ from those of the boss. 

Creating a Safe Work Environment

A bad boss is one who’s overly focused on the end goal (in most cases: profit). A good boss is one who recognizes that overall success is secondary to safety and well-being. Taking the time to create a safe work environment is paramount for looking after your employees. How you do this will depend on the type of business that you operate. If you run a manufacturing facility, then it might involve adding silica dust collection systems at your worksite or putting safeguards in place to prevent heavy machinery accidents. If you work in a more general workplace, such as an office, then it may simply involve identifying any threats and taking steps to eliminate or reduce them. 

Walking the Walk 

It’s easy to simply give orders — it certainly makes the life of a boss easier. However, that has a corrosive impact on employee morale. People pay attention when someone seems to be asking for a lot of work without doing all that much themselves. Workers appreciate and respect bosses who work more than the average employee. It’s a way to set a good example and to show that you’re really all in it together. 

And talking of being in it together: make sure that employees share the rewards of their success. If a team helps generate huge profits for a business, then they should be compensated fairly. 

Continued Improvements 

Finally, remember that a boss never has everything figured out. There are always ways to improve and do better by your employees. When you’re in a leadership position, from time to time it’s recommended to review your performance and make any improvements if required. It’ll keep you on the right path. 

Pexels - CC0 Licence