15 Tips For Becoming The Boss That You Always Wish You Had

© @criene via Twenty20

By Desirée O, Purple Clover Logo

When you become the boss of your workplace, you will become responsible for important tasks and crucial decisions. You will also be responsible for a team of employees that look to you for your direction, support, and expertise. And while you certainly strive to be a good boss, there are ways to become an exceptional leader that’s capable of bringing the absolute best out of your staff. Here are 15 tips for becoming the boss that you always wish you had.

Notice How Your Staff Reacts And Responds To You

© @mao via Twenty20

Be aware of how your staff acts while you’re around. Are they relaxed and happy? Do they seem uptight and on edge? There’s no need for you to be best friends with your staff, but you do want to make sure they’re comfortable around you so that they can do their best work.

Build Trust Between You And Your Team

© @patong_ens via Twenty20

In order to be an effective boss and to get the best out of your team, your staff needs to trust you. They need to know that you make sound decisions that are in the best interest of the entire company. They should be aware of the fact that you will help them out when they need guidance. And they shouldn’t question the fact that you’ll have their back when things get tough.

Be Willing To Put Yourself In Your Staff’s Shoes

© @liavbilya via Twenty20

To be a good boss, you need to be able to understand your staff and put yourself in their shoes when it comes to how they do their jobs, how they interact with others, and how they respond to you. You’ll be able to offer your staff what they really need from you if you’re able to understand things from their perspective.

Listen To Your Team

© @criene via Twenty20

It may seem like an obvious thing to do, but the fact is that it’s incredibly important to listen to your staff. Be sure to keep an open line of communication with your employees and set aside time to chat with each one to make sure that they’re getting what they need from you in order to reach their peak performance.

Lead By Example

© @theartistbynight via Twenty20

As the boss, you can set the tone for your workplace as well as set the bar for your staff. If you want your employees to strive to perform their best, then you need to lead by example and show them that you’re willing to put in just as much (if not more) effort as they are.

Be Friendly But Firm

© @flycat via Twenty20

While you want to be on good terms with your staff, you also need to be able to put your foot down and assert your authority when necessary. That’s why as the boss it’s important to be both friendly and firm.

Remember That We All Make Mistakes

© @Thaninee via Twenty20

While you obviously want your employees to perform their best at all times, to be a good boss you’ll need to remember that everyone makes mistakes (even you). That way, when one of your staff members screws up, you can deal with things firmly but sympathetically and give them a chance to fix the situation.

Don’t Micromanage

© @andreeas via Twenty20

You want to support your staff, but you also want to make sure that you’re not micromanaging your team. Give them enough room to do their own work and prove to them that you trust them and in return let them prove to you how capable they are.

Praise Your Employees

© @Wutzkoh via Twenty20

Be sure to give your employees the recognition they deserve. Whether it’s a small (but sincere) comment on their performance or a well-earned bonus in order to reward a big win, a good boss makes sure to praise their staff on a regular basis.

Help Your Staff Members Advance Their Skills

© @5byseven via Twenty20

If you want to be a good boss, then you not only need to be able to recognize the value of your staff’s current performance, you also want to be able to recognize and nurture their potential. Do this by helping your staff advance their skills by passing on your knowledge or encouraging them to pursue additional skill-building and advancement, and they’ll surely appreciate that you’re the kind of superior who acknowledges their capabilities.

Promote Your Staff When They Deserve It

© @ElleAon via Twenty20

When do you spot potential in your employees, you should be willing to promote them. Not only will you and your business be able to utilize their improved skills, but they’ll also appreciate the opportunity to take their career to the next level.

Motivate Your Staff

© @sasha_mande via Twenty20

It’s also important for a boss to keep their staff motivated. You want to make sure that they’re enthusiastic about their work and arrange for incentives that will keep them striving forward.

Provide Your Team With The Resources They Need

© @veronicoleman via Twenty20

Whatever sector you happen to be in, your staff will require specific tools, a proper space, and/or a reasonable budget in order to do their jobs properly. As a good boss, you should stay on top of your employees’ needs and make sure that they have the necessary resources so that they’re not always having to make requests or work under inefficient circumstances.

Advocate For Your Staff

© @andreeas via Twenty20

While you may be the boss of your team, you still might have your own superiors above you. If this is the case, then be sure to act as your staff’s advocate when it comes to expressing their needs to the higher-ups, as well as letting senior members of the company know about your team’s achievements and successes.

Manage Issues Between Staff Members

© @alex_kaishauri via Twenty20

Unfortunately, your team might not always get along. As the boss, you’ll need to step in at times and manage any issues that crop up. While mediating conflict might not be your strongest suit, it’s important that you strive to keep the peace in a productive manner.