May 14 2009
Be the Best Boss You Can Be
You want to be the best boss? Read on and read:
http://human-resources-management.suite101.com/article.cfm/be_the_best_boss
Managers need to be connected to one another. Make a daily practice of talking to each other manager at your level about what is going on in his area. You will garner good information and build rapport with others. Sure it is fine to talk about non-work stuff too, and socialize if you have things in common.
Treat everyone on the job with respect and courtesy at all times. This does not apply just to other managers. You need to set the example for everyone else. You need not be best buddies, but give others their due.
You should have meetings with your people on a regular basis and in some cases, where time sensitivity is paramount, daily meetings to ensure that everyone’s priorities are in line. Encourage questions and be courteous in answering them so as to encourage others to come forward if they don’t understand.
Learn to give out tasks to each of the people you manage. Some of them, like the older gent who has been there for 10 years, may not need close supervision and can be trusted to meet his quotas and deadlines. Still others, especially new people will need to be monitored periodically to ensure that they know what to do and how to do it.
Keep everyone in your group aware of the priorities and the order of priorities so they will do first things first. Avoid telling one employee and expecting him to communicate it to his work mates, unless he is a qualified lead person. This presents the impression of favoritism, which you want to avoid at all costs.
Allow each to talk about problems to you and be sympathetic. Giving them a hearing once in a while is good, and shows you are understanding. If the same person has personal problems all the time, however, beware. You may have a problem employee on your hands.
New employees often come to the company from other places where they have been trained to do work in a superior way. Take note and learn from these new folks. You might have a chance to do things better or faster than before. Be open and flexible.
