How to Not Suck as a Boss

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Ever work under a maniacal boss who kicks you to the curb when something goes wrong? In our opinion, most bosses have little grasp on how to properly manage people, let alone run a business or an organization.

Most workers hate their bosses, for good reason:

  • "I'm right. You are wrong. Obey me," they preach and pout.
  • "I'm higher on the organizational chart. That means I'm better than you. Obey me." the arrogance goes.
  • "Wrong. Horrible. Do it again," says the power-hungry, hierarchical bastards sitting on their ivory towers thinking they're kings of the jungle.

Three simple, sweet messages for you maniacal bosses:

  1. When something fails, take responsibility.

    Your employee misses a deadline. You blame him for negligence. All his fault, you say. Whose fault is it, really? Yours. You didn't communicate clearly enough. You didn't give good enough directions. You placed him with the wrong people. The list goes on. It's within your control to determine your outcomes. Always. So, start taking responsibility. Get in that mindset: "Whenever something fails, it's my fault." If an employee truly does suck: "It's my fault for making a bad hiring decision."
  2. Soon, you'll start making ridiculously wise decisions.
  3. Understand employee motivations. Listen. They'll shine for you.

    When Tiffany first signs up as your employee, she has a number of ideas to help you change the world. She's initially ecstatic to join your environmental non-profit organization. Yet, you don't understand her motivations. You don't grasp her capabilities. Sure, you ask her -- but, you don't listen. Instead, you start giving her menial tasks. Go fetch some water for me, you say. Go fix the printer, you demand. Soon, you start getting a walking-working-robotic drone, whose energy and motivation you've dramatically drained. And, all she wanted to do was help you change the world. She could've done so. All you had to do? Listen.
  4. Reverse the organizational chart. You're on the bottom. You'll freakishly change your mindset.

    And we emphasize: freakishly. When you think you're on the bottom of the organizational chart, a weird, fuzzy feeling happens:

    "If I don't serve my employees, they'll fire me."

    It's an amazing mechanism that drives you to deliver results. It drives you to get off your high-horse, and start delivering what you were meant to do: serve your freakin' employees like the kick-ass boss that you are!

The sweet rockin' template:

"I will not suck as a boss by being what most bosses are: an egotistical meanie."

Posted July 28, 2006 in Leadership, Management

5 Comments

on How to Not Suck as a Boss

Slow Leadership » News and Views: September 1st 2007
2007-09-01 05:34:26 UTC

[...] “Ever work under a maniacal boss who kicks you to the curb when something goes wrong? In our opinion, most bosses have little grasp on how to properly manage people, let alone run a business or an organization.” [Read more >>] [...]

Gangadharan
2008-05-04 11:04:21 UTC

Such a Wonderful article.

Thanks for the people who done all the hardworking. Congrats to the Team

SR
2008-07-10 14:33:57 UTC

Sam Walton - "How you treat your employees is how your employees will treat your customers."

Andee Sellman, One Sherpa
2008-09-30 05:08:37 UTC

Thanks for the really great tips in the article.
One of the reason why we chose our brand was to try and work from a servant leadership perspective. While we don't always get it right, the timely reminder helps us keep away from the zone in the article and as my old grandfather used to say - 'Aim for the moon and at least you'll clear the pine trees'

Sherri
2009-06-08 20:21:06 UTC

While we lowly employees work our butts off to make ends meet without raises or bonuses for years, I overhear that my boss is going on a European vacation for a month and a 1/2. I guess everyone's got their priorities. His obviously has nothing to do with rewarding those who helped pay for his upcoming adventure. Jack Ass!

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