Becoming a Better Employer: Improving Your Performance as a Manager

A good boss needs to be a good leader. And the difference between a regular boss and a leader is that they actually know the work, they are there in the frontlines, and they understand their people completely. If you’ll pardon the cliché comparison, think of yourself as a platoon commander right there in the thick of it, and not a general in the background.

Too many managers and employers don’t have what it takes. Many got there by luck or through connections. Those bosses can either hopefully realize their good fortune or work on themselves, or their employees are in trouble. However, there are also bosses that have proven themselves as fantastic employees in the past, as people who really know the work, but that still just aren’t good leaders. They are better followers than leaders. In this article, we will try to help both camps.

This entire article will deal with how you can become a better boss, a better leader. We will show you some skills you could improve on, as well as what kinds of activities and methods you can administer to make things easier for everybody. So, without further ado, read on.

Don’t set ultimatums

First things first – don’t be a dictator. You are the boss, true, and you are in charge. But that doesn’t really mean you can boss people around. OR rather, you can, it just won’t end well. It will breed contempt, it will make you lose respect. Rather, let people understand why you are doing something, why you are giving them this order. Never pull a “because I said so” move – it’s one of the worst things you can do.

However, let them know that in times of trouble, when time is short and the pressure is on, that they have to trust your judgment, almost blindly. When there is not much room for error, and when trouble is agreeing, you need to put your foot down and have them follow you.

Now, these two pieces of advice seem almost paradoxical. However, there is a simple and elegant solution that will allow you to have both. In softer, easier times, be a good leader, show them how capable you are, and this will, in turn, let them know that you can handle yourself when the pressure is on, and that you can make good judgment calls.

Be reasonable

There is a difference between setting high standards for yourself and others and expecting too much. It’s a fine line to tread between these two notions, but a line you will need to learn how to handle in due time.

Try to set clear and precise goals, goals that are in no way ambiguous or problematic. Always communicate with your employees, see how much work and effort they can actually handle at a time. Establish a reasonable number of gaols, for a reasonable amount of time.

Ask for help

Sometimes a leader simply has to ask for help. There is no shame in this, no shame at all. Simply put, you don’t know anything, and you shouldn’t feel embarrassed for asking for help and advice.

Self-reflect and self-improve

A good leader always needs to self-reflect. He or she needs to learn how to improve on a continual basis, to learn how to make the best out his or her skills. It means you have to have a cold, hard, direct look at your own performance and see what it is you can do better, what is it you can do worse, and figure out how to make the most out of the options and the work that is in front of you.

Continually learn and self-improve. Take a professional ndis webinar, talk to other leaders in your field, work long and hard on maximizing your performance. See how you can get better not only at your regular tasks but also how to be a better leader.

Focus on the positive

Don’t spend so much time correcting your subordinates, constantly focusing on the negative. Rather, you want to build a positive atmosphere, a nice and efficient space that has only a healthy amount of pressure.

Furthermore, when the pressure is on, don’t let people see how stressed you are. Don’t lie to them, if you’re in trouble, tell your employees, but at the same time don’t show just how much this is bothering you.

Lend your ear to everybody

Try to listen much more than you talk. Of course, you do have the experience, you know how to do the job, and you are a wealth of knowledge. However, sometimes you have to let other people figure out solutions to problems. Listen to them, try to get a feel of how they think, how do your employees react in specific situations.

On a more emotional level, this means you should allow people to come to you with their problems. Don’t turn the office into a gossiping area, but you can keep it as a safe space for people to be open with their issues and stressors. You don’t want people to be afraid of your judgment, your reactions, or your criticism. Rather, always acknowledge a suggestion, and elegantly accept or reject it.

Work on connecting with people

You want your team to be a team, not just a group of people slaving away at their 9 to 5, just itching to get back home. Now, there is no shame in people enjoying their hobbies, their families, and their free time more than work. However, you should make it your aim to make work as pleasant and motivating as possible. Lead people to take pride in their work, praise them, and show them the importance of self-respect.

Conclusion

A good boss leads and listens, she connects with people and focusses on the positive. He or she will continually improve his or her skills, abilities, and mind. A good leader is never afraid to ask for help, avoids positing ultimatums, and set proper objectives.