There is a saying that goes like this, “It’s lonely at the top.” If you’re a boss, then you probably know exactly what we are talking about. Being a boss often means having a thankless job. Of course, you want your employees to do their best because their performance is a direct reflection of you. Still, you don’t want to seem overbearing. How do you show your appreciation without being a pushover? The best way to be a great boss is to determine your strengths and weaknesses. To do that, ask yourself this one question, what kind of boss are you?
The By-the-Book Type
You thrive on structure, and everything is set in its place. Running a business or being a manager definitely requires some structure and set processes because it sets clear expectations. But, you could lose sight of your vision if you get caught up, always focusing on dotting your I’s and crossing your T’s. With this approach, you might not see the big picture, and you may unknowingly mistreat an employee or mismanage your business. With every situation, there’s always a what if, so take a broad look at what you’re facing before making decisions. Imagine how your decision will affect just one employee, your entire team, and your business in the long run.
The Explosive Personality Type
We get it, everyone has bad days. But does the tiniest little mistake by one of your employees send you storming the office with an imaginary blaze of fire trailing behind you? This type of behavior causes employees to be fearful of you. Maybe that is what you want. But, don’t be mistaken because instilling fear among your employees is not the way to gain their trust. Also, you likely have a high employee turnover because no one wants to work with a hothead. Running such a tight ship might actually cost you to lose customers, too! If this sounds like you, find ways to manage your stress and deflect your anger.
The Friend Type
You might label yourself the “friend type” if you everyone to like you, and you hate delivering bad news. While you probably foster a fun work environment where employees love coming to work, your behaviors could end up backfiring. Avoiding those difficult conversations only causes issues to fester, which eventually could blow up in your face. Also, the friend-type boss often has favorites, which won’t settle well with anyone who isn’t on your friend’s list. To avoid this type of behavior, be sure to stick to processes when it comes to making decisions like how to handle promotions and raises. This keeps things fair, and won’t make it seem like you’re playing favorites.
So, what type of boss are you? No one wants to work in a toxic workplace. Determining your strengths and weaknesses helps improve your leadership skills and contributes to the bottom line, whether you’re a manager at a small business or you’re the owner of a dental practice. If you want to learn more ways to be an effective leader, contact Bryant Consultants by calling (877) 768-4799 or speak to a consultant today.
