If you are responsible for managing employees, what you don't do is just as important as what you do on a daily basis. A great boss strives to recognize workers for their efforts and maintain strong relationships with every employee. If you want to be a great boss, you also need to avoid certain behaviors that make employees feel uncomfortable or unappreciated. Some management suggestions to maximize your effectiveness as a manager should be heeded.
A great boss does not make employees go without food at meal times. If you are on a tight deadline, it's not unusual to ask employees to work through lunch, but that doesn't mean you should ask them to skip a meal entirely. If you need employees to work through their lunch breaks, then be sure to allow food and beverages in the office, even if you usually limit food consumption to the break room or on-site cafeteria. If you want to be an exceptional boss, have sandwiches or pizza brought in for hard-working employees.
Employees don't like it when managers force them to disclose personal information in the name of team building. If you want to be a great manager, keep your team-building exercises focused on professional topics. It's fine to ask employees about their favorite movies or hobbies, but don't ask questions about their families or personal goals unless they bring up these topics first. Managers do not have a right to know about a worker's most private thoughts.
A great boss never pressures employees to donate to charity or participate in social events. If some of your employees is having financial difficulties, pressuring them to donate money to charity is bound to create feelings of resentment. Even if your employees have plenty of money, they still have the right to spend it the way they decide to spend it. Employees also have the right to choose how and with whom they spend time outside of work. It's proper to invite employees to go bowling or have dinner, but don't force people to participate if you want to be known as a great boss.
Do not ask employees to evaluate each other or do their own performance evaluations. If one worker has to point out the flaws of another, those two employees might have difficulty working together, creating conflict in your workplace. Self-evaluations aren't as awkward, but they are usually not a good use of your time. High-performing employees are bound to give themselves high scores, so you don't really get much useful information from such a review.
As a manager, you should strive to make your workplace a positive one. Following these management tips can help you reduce resentment, eliminate conflict and prevent employees from thinking you don't appreciate their efforts. It can also help you earn a reputation as a great boss in your company.
Photo courtesy of stockimages at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Become a member to take advantage of more features, like commenting and voting.
Register or sign in today!