How do I become a better boss? - Comparably | Comparably

How do I become a better boss?

Leadership

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109 Answers

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    Top Employee Response

    I think it is important to remember that there are two (2) types of boss/leader. 1) The type that pushes from the back of the pack. They are the ones that instill fear to get a project done, and 2) the type that is out in front pulling you along. They instill confidence in their people and shield them as much as is possible. Type 2 is the kind of leader that inspires their employees. The respect is there from the get-go. They receive Respect as much as they give it to their employees.

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    Keep learning and keep my eyes and ears open to my fellow coworkers.

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    Care about your team members, be humble, ask for input

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    Listen to employees Respect your employees Treat employees fairly and equally Do not micromanage, give guidance and delegate Give them the opportunity to grow Don't talk down to them and don't belittle the work they do. I had a boss that said that the work her employees did was beneath her. Needless to say no one liked or respected her. If you're saying stuff like this to your employees odds are you're either a narcissit, an idiot, or both. Keep it to yourself and don't make others wise to your shortcomings as a person. Mentor Lead

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    As with ANY kind of authoritative position, (parent, manager/supervisor, policeman, teacher, guardian, what-have-you), one must understand at times that when things "look" bad, it's not necessarily the person's "fault" that was otherwise responsible...i.e., it was out of his/her hands or control. So, quickly jumping to conclusions does no one any good. It is ALWAYS helpful to give the benefit of the doubt until there is a proper place and time to here one's explanation out. At then decide what the correct course of action it would be to take, if any. That is part of what good leadership does.

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    Begin by asking yourself why you are in your role. If the answer focuses on your own self interest, there is a strong chance that you do not understand the difference between being the boss and being a true leader. The next question should be “How well do I know my people?”. Until you understand how unique very individual on your team can be, you will project an impersonal approach that will undermine any leadership toward a common goal. I would also recommend that you sit down and ask your team for honest feedback. If you would hesitate to do this, dig deep for the reason. Do you have enough humility to learn? Are you insecure because you don’t have a clear purpose? This is not intended to be an easy answer but this process should get you to the roots of what it takes to lead effectively.

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    By putting the needs of your employees and company goals before your ego.

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    Don't keep bossy type attitude always, specially in tight deadlines. Sort problems in friendly manner, that not only helps to solve problems but also healthify relations with peers.

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    talk to your employees with respect dont talk down to them be respectful and have a set of systems in place for everyone and dont constantly change them

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    Take time to listen to your employees you would usually ignore. Often times those closer to you are not truthful and are intimidated by those who work the hardest. a lot of times although some take lesser positions is because they have humility, those who get closer to the top by kissing your ass don't. More than one time I have fired because the boss listened to his manager instead of the truth about me and situation that Happened while the Boss was not even there. He flat out lied to the Boss, and I did not even get to say a word Just Your Fired! He took his word.

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    Listening to staff and being willing to give people a chance to excel.

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    Act like it’s my first day on the job.

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    1) recognize your workers’ talents and make the most of them. 2) recognize when your employees might be having a hard time outside of work and offer to talk to them about it.

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    Listen to your employees and be compassionate while remaining firm.

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    Listen to your employees. Be approachable. Treat them with respect.

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    Know what's going on with your employees. If an employee is disgruntled, you've failed as a boss if you don't know why or how that person became unhappy. You may not always be able to resolve why they're unhappy, but you should always have your fingers on the pulse of your staff.

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    Recognize, compliment, acknowledge employee efforts 10 times for every constructive feedback opportunity. Be trustworthy. Be consistent.

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    Listen to your employees and be patient with them. A lot of managers don't spend the time coaching or providing feedback. Always provide positive feedback as well. It's hard when a manager only focuses on the negative.

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    Listening, having perspective, being equitable, patient, kind and caring.

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    Listen. Listen to your subordinates. Ask about challenges or obstacles they are dealing with and think about ways to alleviate unnecessary stresses in their work environment. Promote an atmosphere of learning rather than knowing and show that you are able to stay fluid and flexible to new ideas. Employees what to feel that their contribution to a company matters, you validate this when you listen to them. You may not say yes to every idea, but listening to them immediately boosts morale and gives employee and greater sense of purpose.

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    Through honesty, transparency, and constantly being receptive to learning.

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    Listen to your employees and take them seriously

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    Show more compassion, show no favoritism and pats on the back every once in a while would do wonders!!!

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    Not being so self absorbed and myopic

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    Once you've spontaneously fired all your employees, there's nowhere to go but up.

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    Understand your goals or expectations set for yourself. Develop teams with members having diverse skills, abilities, and preferences to complete these goals. Be aware of leaderships part in failures or shortcomings to improve self, communication, and teams. Commit to honesty, integrity, and clear/concise communication.

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    Be open minded and professional. No favorites

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    Listen to your employees feedback. Get trained in dealing with people and know your job and do it well.

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    Listen to staff, give them responsibility and freedom to be creative. Don't stifle and don't gaslight.

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    Being a good boss begins with respecting your employers and allowing them a voice within the company. This allows your employers to know their opinions and suggestions do matter, as sometimes they see the company at it's most intimate and worst moments. Even letting your employees know that you thank them for their work especially when it is clear they go out of their way to make their work over the top then what they typically would do is something that really impacts others. Overall, just making sure that you, as a boss, allows yourself to take a second in your employers shoes and allow "them to help you" as much as they expect "you to help them" really goes a long way in a company.

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    Listen to your employees and set clear and reasonable stretch goals

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    Be a human being not a robot.

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    The most important step to becoming a better boss -- and a better leader -- is cultivating the ability to deliver honest feedback, especially in uncomfortable scenarios. Feedback in this sense means showing a person how they affect the world around them so they can compare their outcomes with their desired results.

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    Understand better your industry, be well informed on ethics and law, working environment, the community you serve and utilize managerial and leadership skills accordingly

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    Listen instead of talking. Employee feedback is gold. Good and bad.

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    Take feedback from employees and managers and make changes when needed.

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    Tailor communication to team members’ unique personalities and work style

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    Communication, patience and organization. Learn to bring your head up from the day to day to see the bigger picture on a regular basis. Learn to set goals for a team. Learn from your mistakes.

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    Continue to listen to constructive criticism or feedback meant to build up rather than tear down, and then taking that information, working to improve myself and remain humble in doing so. Then, as I improve, encourage staff to do the same.

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    By listening to the employer and following the law and rules for employees. And acknowledge when people do good work

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    Dont be Bossy! Work with your team, treat others as you would want to be treated. Be respectful, use manners. kind,attentive, availabe,understanding. work with your employees, and they will work with you, work together and notice their hard work, accomplishnents, praise; be thankful and appreciate what they bring to the table and develope them . teach them other areas to grow.

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    Listen first and speak last this includes when you are addressing issues with employees to every day duties. ( Turn off your phone when having discussions or meetings with staff!) List your issue with the employee then let then tell you why they are having the issue. There may be more to the story and may include the need to bring HR into the picture to help the employee find resources in dealing with outside issues at home or in their life.

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    Think your job as a service and your team as your customers. You provide them what they need, even if it is discipline. Don´t be afraid of hire people better than you. Your organization´s knowledge will bloom and you will learn a lot. Listen mostly the time. Then look. Then talk. Kill your ego. It seems impossible but it is like bike riding, you´ll never forget when you get it.

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    ask for feedback from subordinates and peers

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    When dealing with subordinates, ask yourself, “Is this how I would like to be treated?”

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    Continue to educate yourself on best practices in your industry, listen to your employees as a team is much more powerful when they feel heard and valued, always evolve your communication and approach to how you share and motivate your vision.

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    improving your communication skills

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    being promoted to a management position often fills that person with an overinflated ego and sense of empowerment that leads them to stop listening to their reports, become dictatorial and focus on how to please their management to maintain their position and gain the next promotion. This results in managers who are no longer interested in the goals and vision of their company, but only interested in their own advancement. I would say that the strong majority of US managers fall into this trap.

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    Time and patience the more life experiences you have the better

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    Best way to be a great boss is to NOT be a boss. Instead of relying on the authority of the title to enact improvements from the comfort of a conference call, earn the respect of your subordinates by putting yourself out there in the line of fire.

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    don't be arrogant -- listen to employees

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    Kill your ego and make sure you learn everyday. No one is indispensable. Even the junior most person on ones can team can teach us

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    By keep listening. Always be ready to learn no matter how experienced you are. Give continuous feedback to your employees. Be sensitive for your team needs (Especially personal stuff). Show that you can get "under the stretcher" and serve an example. Ask people how they're doing. Make sure they're interested and happy with what they do. Give credit and recognition to your employees when they do good!

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    Get supervisor training, follow HR process, and be a decent person.

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    Maintain open and constant communication with employees; never take any dialogue personally or defensively (i.e. encourage critical & constructive engagement); if meetings are a necessary part of workflows, ensure they are productive and on a strict timeline.

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    Know your job and your people

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    A person who FEELS appreciated will Always do more than expected! In other words, I will work harder for you if you make sure that I feel like I am doing a good job!

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    Ask others working for me questions about their job and the cool things they do. Also, know my job and enough about theirs, not so I can do their job but in order to know the steps in the process.

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    Learn from those around you, and become and expert at what you do. Once you become an expert, take your learnings and help others to become experts.

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    Encouragement. Let your team know which efforts are making a difference, and which need to go, and which are sub par but can be improved by X.

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    Listen to your staff

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    Listen to employees

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    Remember what is was like when you were there explaining your decision

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    Educate and support your team

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    Be willing to chance with new labor laws, work environments and not hinder innovation.

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    never forget where you came from & Never micromanage.

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    In general, be transparent. Get to know employees as people not just workers. Be liberal with praise. Criticize in private and be constructive. Be available with an open door policy. Listen in meetings to suggestions, problems, and processes. Ask questions. Keep meetings from being too long and windy. Give introverts opportunities to contribute.

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    Do your job. Be a leader. Get in the trenches. Fight for those who work for you. Demand fair pay.

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    A good boss listens more than talks, is always a gentleman or lady, praises publicly and punishes privately, sets clear goals, and is above all loyal to their team.

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    Imitate another manager that u admire and respect. Ask questions do not assume

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    Practices, and talk to other good bosses

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    Take a little less credit, and a little more blame than you deserve.

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    Interactive, understanding, humor,

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    Be an example for your team, be strict, respectful, allow people to make mistakes, follow up, very clear, be very candid.

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    not too strict but keep boundaries with your peers

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    Be friendly and unbiased

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    Keep doing what you do.

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    Being transparent and giving clarity

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    just be a little nice

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    Not show favoritism treat everyone equally speak to everyone talk and communicate with everyone and not dislike a employee because another person dislike the coworker for no reason

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    I read blogs, whitepapers, industry posts, etc. In addition, I participate in company-sponsored leadership and management training. Moreover, the team regularly shares articles and other thought leadership, that they find useful.

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    From taking the time to listen to your employees and also provide the right support to arm your team. If the team has the right tools, they will be able to perform in the environment will be happy with

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    Active listening, engage and actually care about your people.

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    Respect your employees, coach them, advise them.

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    Care about your employees and treat them well.

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    By connecting with the emplyee. Not just be in an office sitting with a computer

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    Take coaching classes to hold your employees accountable to expectation, but be curious about the little and big things happening in their life. Celebrate or support accordingly.

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    Listen & when called for take action, but most of all just listen & when you do say something make sure it is factual & if you say you are going to do something actually do it, not just talk about it. Also would be nice it "the boss," took care of those who actually do all the work & not spend all their time covering for those who screw up on a weekly/daily basis, when all of your time is spent covering for racists, misogynists, bigots, sexists, rather than making excuses for the couple of "bad apples," attacking, threatening, crapping on the good, hard working employees who can actually perform their job requirements.

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    Ask for feedback. Let others know that you are genuinely interested in becoming a better boss. Seek 360 degree feedback internally and externally. Create a safe open environment where others can give you candid feedback without fear. Reassure everyone that retaliation will not be tolerated. Give people permission to call you out on your shortcomings. Do what you say that you will do. Don’t do what you said that you wouldn’t do.

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    By having an open door policy, an understanding being able to completely lead by example, do one on one training to help those under you improve and know that you’re there at their disposal to learn and operate all systems

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    Patience, time management, organizational skills, empathy.

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    Keep an open mind.

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    Research. Research. Research. And, self reflection. Take a look at yourself, and see what your employees think of you or view you as .... would you want to work for you?

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    Become a leader

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    training/classes/360 reviews/accept feedback

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    Own my role.

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    Listen before you speak. Say "thank you" often. Ask if people need help. Know what you expect. Don't ask a fish to fly, nor a bird to swim-- but know when you are dealing with a penguin.

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    Learn to listen and always look at the whole picture.

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    Think of your emplyees in all your actions. They are dependant on you for their life and families. They are the ones that take care of your customers. If the emplyees are not happy the. Your customers are not happy and you get less sales. Your job as a boss is to remove barriers for emplyees. If there are things that make it difficult for the work to get done then that makes your product cost more in resources and makes the empolyees unhappy. People quit bosses not jobs. Pay your people well, they are the ones who know your process and product the best.

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    You need to give respect before you get respect. Stop asking managers about the work; they only want to look good to you. If you want to know about the work, ask the people who are doing the work. Don't promote someone to be manager if he/she doesn't know how to do the jobs of the people he/she manages

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    Listen and affirm employees.

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    Listen to your subordinates ideas, needs and concerns. Understand everyone is different and brings a unique perspective on how to do the job.

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    Listen to both wisdom/experience and those you lead. Study successful leaders. Learn from your experience. Follow both head AND your heart.

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    Pay attention to the workers, listen for ways to meet some of their expectations. Empathize a little. Make clear goals, and ways to achieve them. And if possible before mistakes happen try to anticipate that those of action.

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    Listen, be considerate of people's feelings show interest in becoming a great leader but also be honest in business practices, never create a negative or hostile experiences for employees.

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    Remember that you are a servant, to the people working for you. Your job is to help them do better and achieve more. Be selfless in your efforts to help those around you, constantly building them up.

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    Not everyone has the experience you do. Be polite and dry about your expectations, assist but do not coddle. Iead, do not boss

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    Participate and understand the problem that the people under you are experiencing

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    No question/ idea is off the table as long as the interactions are professional. Challenging status quo towards improving organizational and team work culture should be the norm.