“To be tough or not to be” is a dilemma any manager may face at some point in their career. Traditionally, management is the action of guiding one’s team in the attainment of business objectives. Whereas, it is often believed that in the cutthroat business world of today, being tough is the way to succeed. However, with rising competition, the changing nature of work and evolving work practices, it has become imperative for leaders to work in a more inclusive and efficient way.
As a newly appointed team leader you may be wondering about the ideal leadership style to adopt. Should you be a tough taskmaster who focuses only on output or should you be someone who is deeply invested in your team’s well-being? While each leader has their own style of guiding the ship, there are clear benefits in being a good one. Read further to see how.
• Leader or manager
The key difference between a leader and a manager is that people follow a leader willingly, while they are forced to follow a manager because of hierarchy. Good leaders win the trust of their subordinates, who then follow instructions willingly. In such a setting, the team trusts the boss to take care of them and the boss trusts the team to deliver, and this is what eventually translates into motivation. The more motivated the employees, the greater the willingness to put effort into their work.
• Develop a culture of innovation
While simply achieving results may not signify the effectiveness of a leader, accomplishing sustained results point towards a culture of inclusiveness and innovation. Such a culture exists when leaders empower their employees, remove ambiguity and include employees in the decision-making process. Employees have insights on many operational problems, however, they only come forth with it to a leader who shows interest in their point of view. If employees are valued for their feedback (an important characteristic of a good boss), not only do they feel included and valued, but they proactively solve problems too, thereby reducing the workload of the boss considerably.
This culture of innovation not just results in the creation of good products, but also leads to better appraisals and growth opportunities for the team.
• Go the extra mile
The satisfaction of leading a happy and productive workforce is unparalleled. Being a good boss may require you to go that extra mile, but this has its benefits. When you make the effort, you end up with a workforce that you can trust, and who is motivated to come to work every day. This in turn leads to increased job satisfaction not just for you but for your team too.
• Make workplace fun
When you get along well with your team and there is a relaxed work environment, it becomes a fun place to work in. Team outings and off-sites can help your team bond better. This, in turn, will build on other aspects mentioned above.
To conclude, there are many direct and indirect benefits of being a nice boss – both for you and your team. So, the next time you are evaluating your leadership style, be mindful of the people you are leading. Remember, a good boss, more than anything, is adaptable.
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