Are You A Good Boss?

Far from it, this is not a motivational article that will tell you, “You can achieve so-and-so mentality in three days”. I am not here to sell you such bullshit. I have come to tell you what I perceive to be a monumental flaw in how we do things in this part of the world.

There is a lot of self-aggrandisement in many people, especially when they make it young. It’s so easy to get sucked in the euphoria of authority, that you most times forget, both intentionally or casually, how you got there in the first place.

You start feeling entitled, start “thinking for people”, especially those that work with you, start running away from doing things that you know you can do, just because you carry a fancy job description on your business card and ID card.

Nelson Mandela: Tell me Francois, ‘What’s your philosophy on leadership?

Francois Pienaar: Mr President, I have always thought to lead by example.

Nelson Mandela: That’s good, Francois, how do you motivate your teammates to be better than what they think can do. Invictus (2009)

You don’t trust the people that work with you, you feel they are not up to scratch but you don’t look at yourself in the mirror. Ask yourself these questions.

1. Do I really care about this person?
2. If this person is not doing their job well, could it be as a result of other things?
3. Am I overworking this person?
4. Does this person need a time off?
5. How can I be a better person and “boss”?

Many-a-time, most “bosses” never remember to ask these questions. As one person once said, “Abuse is inevitable if purpose is not known”. What exactly is your purpose? Is it to make money, take some people off the streets by paying them money, or you just like being called “THE BOSS”.

The Truths As I See Them.

1. “Everyone likes to be loved but show me one person who’s loved by everybody, and I’ll show you someone that is wrong”.
2. “There should always be human in human resources”.
3. “A lack of internal control leads to a lack of structure”. Get proper structures in place.
4. “What will be will be”. Stop chasing what can’t be chased.
5. “Never betray the trust of those who trust you”.
6. Ego is a terrible thing.
7. Never look to always put down people or demoralize them in the name of wanting a better performance from them. It doesn’t always work out.

Just A Few More Things.

The truth is that many employees can make their bosses go crazy, the onus is on you to ensure that they are at their best at all times.

Use the stick-and-carrot method, but always be fair and try to make corrections in love, not in condemnation.

What kind of a boss are you? The one that people want to associate with or the one that people just tolerate.

Think about it…..