Today’s employees are looking for a more innovative work culture that will make them more productive and happier in their jobs. They want to be part of a more collaborative and collective team and they want to feel more connected to those around them. Employees no longer want to work for a “boss,” but rather a leader. The way in which employees perceive their managers can have a significant impact on their satisfaction at work. In fact, 75% of employees that are leaving their jobs admit that the reason they were leaving was because of their boss. So, this begs the question, “What is the difference between a leader and a boss?” The short answer is that a boss commands actions and expects results while a leader inspires, influences, and mentors their employees. It is important that managers realize that merely being someone’s boss doesn’t mean they are a leader. Here we will look at how bosses can modify their behaviors to become better leaders.
Encourage and Motivate Your Team
Bosses train employees to do a specific job. Leaders train employees to use their talents to perform tasks beyond just one job. Today’s employees are looking for more than just a task-oriented job. They seek opportunities to develop their talents and gain more experience. They want to be part of an organization that pushes them to be better and provides opportunities for them to advance their skillset.
Stop Micromanaging
Bosses micromanage and tell their employees how to do their jobs. Leaders trust that their employees have the knowledge and skills to excel and they empower them to manage their own tasks. Leaders know they have hired talented employees and they give them the freedom to use their talents. When employees feel micromanaged, they feel held back and this can be very frustrating.
Provide Feedback and Offer Support
There is nothing worse than a boss who gives you a poor performance review or complains about how you are doing your job, yet they have never given you guidance or feedback of any kind. Feedback is incredibly important for keeping employees motivated and engaged. In fact, most employees appreciate both positive and negative feedback, because it lets them know where they stand and what they need to do to improve. In addition to regular meetings, performance reviews, and one-on-one meetings, be willing to support your employees by mentoring them and helping them set goals.
Encourage Collaboration Among Team Members
A boss simply delegates tasks to employees and waits for things to get done. Leaders, however, bring the whole team together and encourage them to share their ideas and work together to find the best solutions and the most efficient way to reach them. Leaders inspire and motivate employees to work collaboratively with others and communicate within their team.
Recognize Employees for Their Contributions
Bosses like to take the credit for the work of others but leaders understand the power of recognizing employees for their contributions. A leader lets their employees know how much they appreciate their hard work and value them as individuals.