July 2012

The Boss Effect



Dear Reader,

If at some stage in your career you are put in a position of managing others then you become the ‘boss’.  Whether you are the ‘boss’ by choice or accident and regardless of whether you have 1 or 1,000 people working for you, your management style and approach will have a direct impact on morale and productivity and others will look towards you to facilitate a balanced, successful and positive working environment.

It can be tough at the top! In this issue of Pep Talk we look at what it means to be a boss and the steps you can take to make sure you are the best boss you can be.

If you wish to comment on any aspect of the information enclosed, or would like to find out more about how working in partnership with Persona People Management can benefit your business, please do not hesitate to contact me on 0870 066 0844 or simply click here.


Best wishes

 

 

 

 

Michelle Prescott

Persona People Management


What it Means to be The ‘Boss’


There are many words to describe what it is to be a ‘boss’ – big cheese, standard bearer, top dog! But in reality there is one word that best describes the role of a ‘boss’ – Influencer. The most important impact you can have as a ‘boss’ is the way in which you behave. More than strategising, technical excellence or boosting the bottom line, being a boss is about people management and getting the best from your team in order to enhance performance and profitability.

When you become a ‘boss’ you take on the issues that go with the people you manage including recruitment, training, development and personal issues such as family problems, illness, interpersonal relationships and conflict. People will look to you to lead by example, provide guidance and support and set the benchmark for team cohesiveness and performance. On the flip side the buck will stop with you when things go wrong.


What Type of ‘Boss’ are You?

You need to understand the impact you have as a ‘boss’. The techniques of organisational development can be applied to help you conduct a self-audit of your strengths and weaknesses:

  • Be honest with yourself about your people management skills, what are the things you do well and what can you improve?
  • Understand yourself – the more you understand yourself, the more comfortable people are going to be in their interactions with you.
  • What is your management style? – investing time in developing this will pay dividends in terms of how successfully you lead your team.
  • What are your values and how do these translate in to your behaviours?
  • What is your approach to life? Do you live to work or work to live? Do you expect the same approach from those around you or are you tolerant of other working styles?
  • Why are you doing what you are doing? Understand what motivates you and utilise this to motivate others.

A mentor or coach can help with this. Getting feedback from an objective outside party can help you gain valuable insight in to your mannerisms, traits and style of management as well as highlighting your strengths and weaknesses. Likewise more scientific personality profiling can help you understand and acknowledge your individual personality, team style and impact on others.




Top Tips for Being a Good ‘Boss’


  • Do not simply rely on your technical skills, people management skill are just as important and require just as much planning.
  • Invest time in working out your management style. This will help you confidently and competently lead your team/business to success.
  • Learn to relinquish responsibility to others – no one can be all things to all people!
  • Do right by your employees by developing a culture that works for both you and them.
  • Maintain boundaries. You can be ‘mates’ with your colleagues but establish appropriate boundaries, this will be important during times when you have to make tough decisions that may not always be welcome by others.
  • Build a team that can work without you. This is vital for times when you may be on leave or away from the office. A team that knows their goals, roles and responsibilities is a team that can deal with the unexpected.

The ‘Boss’ Effect is about doing the right thing for you and your team. Getting it right will ensure you truly make a difference, build a successful business and improve your bottom line.

For more information on how Organisational Development can help please contact me on 0870 066 0844.




www.personapm.co.uk
michelle.prescott@personapm.co.uk