Being a leader isn’t always easy, and there will be times when you have to make decisions that could make you a bit unpopular, but ultimately are the right choices to make for the sake of the bigger picture. Although it is important to not be too preoccupied with being liked as a boss, or winning any popularity contests, you should still be mindful of your attitude towards your teams and make sure you are earning their respect. If you want to try and improve your performance as an employer and/or manager, here are some tips to keep in mind.
1. Practice Good Self-care
When you are in charge, there is a lot of pressure that comes with that. You will need to be someone who can work well in these circumstances as a leader but this can be easier said than done, especially with particularly difficult scenarios. If you are someone who is burning the candle at both ends too, then you will likely find that your patience wears thin and you are more irritable or struggle to stay focused. This is why practicing good self-care can be a good starting point if you want to be a better leader, as the more positive you feel, the easier it will be to bring more positivity to your teams and an improved attitude to work.
2. Listen to Employee Feedback
You might give your employees performance reviews every few months to keep them on track, but you should allow them to give you similar feedback as well. It isn’t always easy to see where your weaknesses are, and sometimes you might be surprised to find that certain skills are stronger than you thought. This is why it’s important to hear back from your employees and team members to make sure that you are doing the best possible job, and where you can make improvements. You can use software like the program from inpulse.com to collect this information from your teams.
3. Don’t be a Micro-manager
If you are a business owner, or you’re new to a managerial role and you want to make sure everything is being done correctly, sometimes it can be to let go and allow someone else to take charge of certain tasks. As a leader, you are there to set a good example and help your teams carry out their duties, but you do need to trust them to do their job. No one wants to feel as though they are being talked down to, or made to feel like they are incompetent. It can also be distracting and stressful to feel as though your manager is breathing down your neck and watching every move like a hawk. If you want to be a good leader, you need to make sure you are allowing your team members to showcase their talents and do the job that they were hired to do.
If you would like to be a better boss, think about these quick tips and see how they can improve your performance as a leader, and help to create a better working environment for everyone.