When you started your business, you will have had images of everything going smoothly. Yes, the workforce would listen, they would do, and the money would roll through the door. However, after a few months, you might be beginning to realize that running a business isn’t as easy it seems. You see, employees don’t always react to their boss. Sure, they will make all the right sounds, and give off all the right impressions. But when it comes to putting their money where their mouth is, they come up short.
Now, it is easy to blame your team because they have made a simple decision. Unfortunately, your workers aren’t the only people that aren’t up to standard. As the boss, it is your prerogative to get them into line and help them reach their potential. It’s time to become the boss you’ve always wanted to be but never had the chance to become.
Here’s how to do it.
Be Consistent
Whatever choices you make, they have to be consistent. That means rewarding the right behavior and discouraging the bad stuff. And, it means doing it every single time, regardless of the scenario. Employees need to know that you are fair for them to fall in line. You can be firm, you can even be a bit of a jackass, but as long as don’t discriminate they will follow orders. So, whenever you see someone do something good, give them a pat on the back and scold them when they do something wrong. A tip: praise people in public and reprimand them in private. Everyone loves public praise, but most people can’t deal with constructive criticism.
Lead By Example
Bosses like to think that they are above the law because of their status. If you think like this, you could be in big trouble. The reason is simple: you aren’t above anyone. Okay, you might earn more money and have more power, but that shouldn’t equate to too much. In terms of being a good manager, it’s essential to show that you follow the rules that the entire office abides by. Those that don’t are open to a revolt as workers won’t stand for hypocrisy. To be honest, their tolerance is short anyway, but hypocrisy is a major felony in their eyes.
Delegate Power
Delegating power works in two ways. The first is that it puts the responsibility in the hands of experts. Consider information technology for a moment. Today, IT is one of the most important parts of any business because 95% of companies use the internet. But, you might not be an IT person, which puts you at a disadvantage. Simply put, you lack the skills and authority to tell qualified professionals what to do on a daily basis. By hiring a respected IT project management team, you ensure that the people you hire are in charge of the team. And, in turn, you are in charge of them. IT is just an example as this tactic works for almost every department. The second benefit of delegating power is that it provides the team with more power. This empowers the entire workforce, which reflects positively on you. After all, it means that they have your trust, and they should reciprocate.
One Size Doesn’t Fit All
Employees come in a variety of shapes and sizes. As a result, some react to certain stimuli more than others. What this means is that one management won’t work throughout the whole office. To get the most out of every single individual, you need to tailor your approach. The trick is to figure out who responds to which tactics and use it to your advantage. For example, an outgoing, extroverted person might respond better to a proverbial kick up the backside. However, a shy, introverted person will prefer an arm around their shoulder. As the boss, you need to understand what makes your team tick.
Be Flexible
Business owners from New York to Timbuktu know about the carrot and the stick. However, not every boss knows how to use it effectively. Of course, the stick is easy because putting a person down is easier than lifting them up. The problem with this is that you can come across as a dictator that loves to denigrate people. To even it out, you need to offer them a carrot, and one they will gladly accept. Again, every individual is different, so there isn’t one incentive, although a bonus does go a long way. A good rule is just to be flexible. If an employee needs time off, you should try to find the time. If they have a problem, you should try and find a solution. An iron fist works from time to time, but so does sympathy.
Always Be Available
There will be times when you and your workforce don’t get along. Maybe they think they need a break and you don’t agree. Or, perhaps you have to make some tough decisions which they don’t understand. These are typical examples, and they will probably rear their heads at some point. Even if you don’t get along, the connection should never break. Regardless of your ‘beef,’ they need to know they can trust you to do the right thing. It isn’t always easy to convey, but being available goes a long way. Bosses that are in the moment and able to talk are much more trustworthy than the ones that disappear into their office.
Loosen Up
Just because you are in charge doesn’t mean you can’t have a little fun. Life is too short always to be serious. So, let go and allow your employees to let go too. There is no way that you can ever be friends, yet you can still have a laugh and a joke. In fact, successful entrepreneurs believe this is one of the major features of a thriving business. Why? It’s because laughter instills a sense of enjoyment, and work satisfaction is necessary. Otherwise, the entire office will be bored, and their output will drop.
Oh yes, there is a lot that goes into being a semi-decent boss. So, take it one step at a time, and just try your hardest. As long as your heart is in it, you should start to see results.