Many people, when put into an upper level management position or any other head honcho role, think that being bossy and aggressive is the best way to go. Yes, authority does come with the job and yes, they do have the right to tell people what to do. You remember those days when your parents told you to change clothes or clean up the dog poop. €Because I said so, that's why.€ It got old quick, but they would use their authoritative power in those situations.
People don't like being told what to do. It is in our nature. We don't like the €I said so€ tone or the €do this, do that€ tone. And when we disagree or argue with the commands given, it makes the bossing around worse and can lead to micro-managing and other uncomfortable situations. So, why doesn't being bossy work? How do we change the stereotypical €authority-boss€ role into more of a leadership and helpful role?
Commitment and Respect
You can use your new head role to tell people what to do and they will do it, but they will not care enough to give it their best. You must earn their respect and have them committed to you. When you are telling someone what to do, you are hoping that they will do it out of fear of what will happen if they don't do it. That isn't constructive or productive and more importantly will lead people the opposite way of being committed to you.
Change and Confidence
When you or another person is put in a leadership role, it is because of change. Someone up above wanted a change or the business needed something different to happen. Think about it: schools change the way they teach, factories change the way they manufacture, businesses change the way they reach out to customers.
Either way, people have a hard time accepting change. It means uncertainty, but can lead to better results. As a leader, it is your job to inspire those people around you. Make them believe they can change as well. Inspire them to realize they can change the way they think, the way they act, the way they file a report, etc. A boss will not inspire anyone to do this. But a leader will.
Teamwork
You are put into a management position because you have the ability to lead, be in charge, and have people working together. Teamwork is essential in becoming a leader.
The people around you are there for a reason. They do their job and they do it well. Why else would they be there? A boss will force people to do things they don't want to do and work with people they don't want to work with. A leader won't. A leader will make people see they can all work together. Not any one person can run an organization these days. It requires multiple people with multiple views and contributions. A leader will get the best out the people they are in charge of.
If you think you are already a great boss, good for you. But, ask yourself, €Am I a leader or am I a boss?€
Do you give your team the resources to get their jobs done?
Do you recognize them for their hard work and achievements?
Do you have clear goals set and on track to be completed?
Does your team feel a connection?
People will give you honesty and hard work if you give them the same. They expect you to lead and take care of them and you expect them to work hard and work together. They need to trust you, trust themselves, and trust each other. Being bossy just isn't going to cut it anymore.
previous post
next post