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Being in charge comes with a number of perks, but it also requires you to shoulder many different duties. With the stress of managing people, you might wonder if you are living up to the responsibilities of your role. Fortunately, there are simple things you can do to make sure you’re the best possible boss you can be.
Be a Mentor
As a smart leader, you know that a business is only as good as the people working for it. You may want to follow the example of businessman Don Friese and focus on being a mentor. Mentorship is an opportunity for you to identify promising employees and provide the support they need to realize their full potential. Such mentorship is also good for your business, helping you cultivate a group of people who bring value to your organization.
Show Your Employees That Your Value Them
The people who work for you want to know that they are important to you and the company as a whole. There are many ways to show your employees that you appreciate their contributions to the business, including:
- Providing pay raises
- Giving extra days off work
- Buying lunch
- Offering opportunities for professional growth
- Acknowledging individual and group accomplishments
Set a Good Example
Employees will look at what you do to inform their own behavior. If you want to create a professional, productive, and supportive work environment, you will need to lead by example. When employees see you model good behavior, they are much more likely to follow suit.
Most people are willing to work hard and stay productive when they believe that everyone else they work with is doing the same. If you ask employees to do something but are unwilling to do the same, you will only breed resentment in the workplace.
Promote a Healthy Work-Life Balance
Employees work at their best when they have a distinct separation between their personal and professional life. Unfortunately, too many employers make demands of their workers that prevent them from maintaining a healthy work-life balance. To be a better boss, you should help your employees establish clear boundaries between their workday and personal life and then respect those boundaries.
Treat Employees as Equals
You may be the boss, but you’re not better than any one of your employees. While it is important to maintain some level of authority, your employees should know that you respect them and do not feel you’re above them. Try connecting with your employees at a personal level and taking an interest in their lives.
Stay Open to Feedback
Even though you’re in charge, you’re not infallible. You have room to improve yourself and your business. Be open to feedback and let that feedback inform your future behavior. When employees see that you are willing to learn and grow, they will have more respect for you as a leader.
Whether you manage a group of people or run an entire company, being a better boss will help you and your organization be more successful.
