No matter how good your team, they will never perform at a higher level than your own performance as a leader. None of us aspire to be a bad boss.
Do you remember what it feels like to work for a bad boss? It is a feeling I have experienced a few times.
When I was working for one of those bad bosses, I was never particularly motivated to do my best. I did enough work to get by, waiting for the boss to be replaced, or for a new job.
A bad boss never knows they are bad. Most of the time, they never recognize the negative environment that surrounds them.
If you don’t want to be that guy, that bad boss, here are 5 actions you should take with your team. Apply these consistently and your leadership will shine.
1. Review expectations regularly. Make sure people clearly understand their responsibilities. They should know how important their work is for the organization. Hold these discussions individually with your employees all the time.
2. Take time to listen. Make sure your team knows their opinions count. Build a relationship with each individual. Listen intently.
3. Provide the proper tools, materials, and equipment. Eliminate the potential for any excuse that could result in less than excellent performance. Let excellence be the standard.
4. Invest in their development. Create an environment where people can grow. Not only do people benefit as professionals, the team will thrive. A growth environment creates new ideas, positive energy, and productivity. It creates a will to win.
5. Invest in yourself. You cannot expect your team to improve if you are not improving yourself. You must set the example. Challenge yourself, and you will be able to challenge the team.
If you want to be a better boss, you need to be intentional about these 5 actions. If you dedicate the time to implement these actions, you will be surprised with the unlocked potential of your team.