Be The Boss You Want To Work For

If you’re like 76% of Americans, then at one point in your life, you’ve had a terrible boss. This is unfortunate because a bad boss can take an otherwise great opportunity and turn it into a nightmare. Plus, nobody wants to work in an environment where they don’t feel safe, respected, or appreciated. In fact, 65% of Americans would pick having a better boss over getting a raise. With stats like those, people must realize that being a good leader and hiring good leaders is essential to running a successful business.

Many managers hold to the old saying that “nice guys finish last,” and they apply this to their workplace behavior as well. While an overly lenient boss can certainly also be a problem, “nice” bosses who use certain strategies to avoid being taken advantage of are more effective than “tough bosses.” In fact, leaders who were fair to their employees had far more productive — and loyal — teams. So, when you’re measuring employee performance, satisfaction, and attitude, nice bosses actually finish first across the board.

But What Qualifies As A ‘Nice Boss’?

“Nice” bosses are warmer, friendlier, more engaging, and fair. They communicate professionally, and often and are open to feedback. When a process isn’t working as efficiently as possible, they tweak it to make it better. They understand the importance of each person’s role in the organization and treat others with respect. This fosters an environment where employees feel appreciated and are excited to come to work — and that’s just good business.

So, how can you become the kind of boss you’d want to work for? It’s probably a lot simpler than you think. If you treat people the way you would want to be treated, then you’re off to a good start. Think back to some of the things your bosses did to upset you and take steps to ensure you don’t repeat those behaviors. Likewise, if you had a great manager, try to emulate the best parts of their leadership. Make sure you are always open to feedback and form genuine relationships with your staff.

Maintaining an open, trusting environment in your organization can do wonders for morale and employee retention. So, when you come into work in the morning, start the day by wondering how you can be the best possible boss for your employees.