Being a great boss – not just a good boss – begins with who you are as a person.
Your character and your beliefs drive your actions. Every word and deed reveals your intentions.
It’s about managing yourself, and this is just one core element in the difference between good and great, according to Linda Hill and Kent Lineback.
Because having productive influence over a team comes from people’s trust in you as a manager.
And your team will only trust you if you know what to do and how to do it (your competence) and whether your motives are good (your character.) Trust is the foundation of all forms of influence and management.
Being a good boss is also about managing your network.Effective managers nurture a broad network of relationships with those they need and those who need them.
Informal meetings where ideas are previewed with other influencers are just as important as the formal board room presentation. This organizational influence wins the hearts and minds of others.
Finally, it’s about managing your team. Really big things get done by teams that hold themselves and each other accountable. They share a vision and the conviction that they fail or succeed – together.
Team members must understand what’s important, what’s critical, and what’s expected.
These imperatives require tight integration. Here’s how to consciously act on them every day:
Prep – begin each day with what needs to be done, who needs to be involved, and how you’re going to delegate. Anticipate questions and problems.
Do – take action, remain resolute, and let things unfold. Don’t over handle.
Review – examine what happened and how it turned out. What was learned?
Even though some make it look easy, being a great boss doesn’t just happen. It takes introspection, emotional intelligence and a true daily commitment to managing yourself, your network and your teams.
Have a great week.
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