Bosses can have a huge impact on an employee’s work life. What can you do to make that impact a positive one, both for their time under you and their future work opportunities? Here are a few ways in which a boss can have a powerful impact on their employees:
1. Treat them like you won’t always be their boss
Your employee’s are on a path, and their time with you may be short or long, but either way it will be impactful. You can help them prepare for responsibility, learn how to manage conflict and prepare for the many possibilities their future may hold. Your employees of today could end up being great contacts for your business in the future, so treat them accordingly.
2. Supporting them through difficult times
None of us know when difficult times may hit; we just know that in our lives, they will come. Whether it is death of a loved one, onset of illness or the requirement to be a caregiver to another; there are times that personal lives will come in conflict with work lives. Showing your employees compassion, understanding and flexibility can help them process their experiences and transition to their new reality.
3. Pushing them beyond their comfort zone
Sometimes the best way to learn is experience and often people try to avoid moving forward until they’re comfortable, when maybe that is not the best course of action. As a boss, you can help your employees by showing them tough love, by having faith in them, and by providing opportunities for them to leave their comfort zone. Often there is more than one right way of doing things and we all need to learn to be more comfortable with risk and uncertainty.
4. Spotting qualities in them that they don’t see in themselves
As human beings we are often more in-tune with our faults than our strengths. Taking the time to develop relationships with your employees and get to know them will allow you to become aquatinted with their strengths and weaknesses. Finding the right moment to share what you see in them can breed confidence and increased efficiency. Being aware of where they excel can make them better employees and help them grow.
5. Reframing their mistakes
We all can be afraid of failure, but the most successful people in the world often talk about how their failures eventually lead to their great success. Creating a safe space to make mistakes helps your employees learn that their errors are not the end of the world but are opportunities for learning and for growth. This builds confidence and enhances their development benefiting everyone.
The work ecosystem you oversee is a reflection of your management style and the personalities and skills of your employees. Not everyone is naturally a good boss; if you feel you could be better these gestures can help your employees and improve their time under you.
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