Five ways to avoid being the 'bad boss'
Look within
A lot of bosses
don't even realise where they are going wrong. It could be wasting time, using
company property for personal purposes or even having an exaggerated idea of
one's capabilities. "It's important to realise where the gaps are. You
need to get proper feedback and work on that. Unfortunately, a lot of times,
realisation only comes when it hurts you," says Sangeeta Lala, senior V-P
, TeamLease Services.
Keep learning
When
bosses give up on continuously educating themselves, even subordinates become
aware of this. "Bosses need to stay current and updated. Otherwise, they
become inadequate . You can learn by reading, doing projects, even getting
mentored," says Yashwant Mahadik, VP HR, Indian subcontinent at Philips.
Set subordinates free
One of the
major derailing factors is when managers become too possessive and don't let go
of their talent. Says Mahadik: "When you don't get support from a manager,
it usually ends up disengaging a very good employee . Instead, every manager
should set himself a target for growing and exporting talent out of the team
and measuring personal success on the basis of that. If an organisation starts
measuring managers on successes like that, it leads to a lot of positive
behavioural changes."
Be sensitive
Bosses who have
crossed a certain stage of life often tend to become insensitive to the needs
of those currently in that stage. Often, a boss doesn't take it well when a
younger person in the team has issues at home or has to leave at short notice
for some reason like an unwell child. "Never forget there are life-cycle
needs of people. Be sensitive, empathetic and don't compare them to
yours," says Mahadik.
Do a reality check
No one ever
wants to give bad news to the boss, which is how he or she ends up insulated
from reality; unaware of what is going on. It's important to create an open
culture where employees can share even unpleasant information without fear.
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