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Career Article: Ten steps to 'Boss Brilliance'

Posted on Wednesday, 30 May 2007 08:11AM by Janet Davies

Having or being a good boss has never been more important in today's competitive environment. It means that you can attract and retain the best people to work in your team. Are you one already? Could you spot one at an interview? Would you like to become one? What’s at the heart of that leadership ‘X’ factor? Just how do you become a brilliant boss? Here are our top 10 tips to get you on the road to Boss Brilliance 1. Fully understand the purpose of your team’s work within the organisation, the reasons behind it and how it contributes to the big picture both in terms of how much it costs to run and how much revenue it makes or supports. Never lose sight of that vision and understanding. 2. Communicate that purpose clearly and enthusiastically to your team. Inspire them genuinely, from the heart. Help them to succeed by making it clear exactly what they need to do and why they need to get things done. 3. Create a motivational environment where the team can succeed on a sustained basis. Give them lots of reasons for being there that goes above and beyond money, like being treated with respect. Create an atmosphere of camaraderie and involvement, high standards and pride in a job well done. Give credit where it’s due. 4. Train and develop your team as well as yourself. Allow them to obtain new skills, give them the chance to use them, improve their long term employability and their promotion prospects. Expect good results and high standards from them and you’ll get them! 5.  Be honest with your staff – being the boss has its rewards but it also comes with responsibilities and accountabilities. You might not always be popular but you do need to be respected for your integrity and fairness. 6.  Give your team regular and constructive performance feedback whether things are going well or badly. Face up to poor performance and don’t let a few high maintenance employees spoil things for the rest of the team. 7.  Communicate regularly and fully – unless information about your business really is confidential and it could improve team performance, why not share it? Poor communication is one of the most common complaints levelled at ineffective bosses by their staff – be different! 8.  Promote teamwork – in problem solving, task achievement, quality control, scheduling matters, skill sharing and most importantly – encourage innovation and ideas 9.  Learn from your mistakes – leadership brilliance isn’t developed simply through constant success, it also comes from knowing how to handle tough situations, and still come up trumps. 10. ‘Walk the leadership talk’ – if you expect your team to be brilliant too, make sure that you lead the way! If you're interested in developing yourself further to become a brilliant boss, check out the business and management training course finder section of our training help directory or read some of our suggestions in great books on leadership. Copyright ©Davies Development Services Limited 2007 - www.newlifenetwork.co.uk