Do you want to be a better boss for your team? Being the leader of a team is extremely challenging and it is a task that many people struggle with. More and more women are becoming bosses in today’s day and age which is excellent news, and you will want to thrive in your position so that you can get the most out of your team, drive the company forward and also get job satisfaction. So whether you are taking on your first role as boss or you are simply looking for a few ways to improve, read on for a few ideas.
1. Listen More
The biggest mistake that people make when it comes to leadership is not listening to their team enough. The great leaders are not the ones that stand alone and make the decisions by themselves – they are the ones that listen carefully to their team to gather information and then use this information to make an informed, intelligent decision that benefits everyone.
2. Provide Feedback
Communication and feedback are critical to success in the workplace. When an employee does not know how they are performing, it can lead to doubt, stress and isolation which can be damaging for all. Instead, providing regular and genuine feedback will help an employee to feel supported and allow you to create a strong bond.
3. Encourage Autonomy
Feedback is important but you need to avoid micromanaging your team which can lead to stress, anxiety and interruptions. Show trust in your team by allowing them to find their best ways of working which can also improve efficiency and free up time for you to focus on the big picture side of things.
4. Find The Balance Between Friend & Boss
One of the biggest challenges that people face when being a leader of a team is finding the balance between being a friend and boss. You will want to get along with your team and create the right environment in the workplace, but you also need to remember that you are their boss first. It is helpful to show an interest in employees and to engage in regular social activities but make sure that work always comes first and always retain professionalism.
5. Reward Hard Work
In order to keep morale high and to incentive your team to perform to a high standard each day, it is important that any hard work is rewarded and celebrated. There are many effective ways to do this, such as wine gift baskets which show that you value their hard work and want them to enjoy themselves after putting in the effort.
6. Provide The Right Work Environment
You also need to take steps to create the right work environment. This should be an open-plan office where people can freely communicate (but not at the expense of work), a comfortable break room and ergonomic equipment and furniture. You should also think about office decoration and allow staff to personalize their own workspaces.
It is not easy being a good boss and it may take some time to develop these skills, but the above tips should help anyone to start being a better leader.