How to Be a Good Boss and Achieve Your Goals

Did you ever work for a good boss. It is often hard to identify a boss who shines, isn’t it? What was this person like, and what did he or she do differently? How did this person affect you and your work effort?

Think of the worst supervisor or boss you ever had. Chances are someone comes immediately to mind. Why do you consider this person “the worst?” How did he or she act? How did this bad boss’s approach affect your attitude and work effort? Did this person influ­ence you to do your best?

Good Boss/Bad Boss Review

Did you want to do a better job for the best boss versus worst boss? Of course! Regrettably, it is far more likely that most of our work life has been spent reporting to horrible supervisor. Bad management continues to dom­inate the landscape of corporate America today. Despite the research on effective leadership and companies’ profit and loss statements, bad bosses are an epidemic killing off employee productivity and creativity and company profit potential. It is a gloomy picture if we feel we cannot alter it. However, we can.

Knowing how dismal it can be to work for a bad boss, we can decide to be a better manager. We must work at it and keep learning. And if we have a few rough edges (and do not we all), we can get them polished. Maybe you can become an exceptional leader.

Telltale Signs of Good Bosses and Bad Bosses

Look at your results. The number one reason employees say they quit is because of unhappiness with their direct manager. Employees with bad bosses are four times more likely to leave than employees who believe they have decent one. Interviews in seven hundred companies of 2 million employees suggest that the productivity of employees depends on their relationship to their boss.

The worst bosses contribute to poor morale and bad attitudes, which lead to poor productivity, indifferent customer service, lower sales, reduced quality, and poorer overall financial results. They have employee turnover problems and often must coerce or bribe employees to do things. Employees perform because they must, not because they want to. They are like mercenary soldiers being paid to do the job. They are not the spirited patriots fighting to pro­tect their homes.

Pulling It All Together

I know what you are thinking… What about those awful bosses who get good results? Yes, it does seem that some managers do well despite the pitiful leadership practices. In fact, if you talk to enough people, you will find poor managers and good ones can both achieve organizational objectives. The difference is in the “how” and what happens long-term. Lack of respect and poor relationships are weak fuel, leaving poor managers with nothing to drive sustainable results. Results are unsustainable because these so called leaders sap employees’ commitment and positive emotion to invest their best in their work.

In other words, bad bosses’ behavior does eventually catch up with them (or their organizations), but unfortunately for their victims-the employees-and it does not seem to happen fast enough.

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In addition, go here for our RealTime Learning & Training leadership and personal development website. Over 130 micro-learning and career development resources at your fingertips!

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