Dr. Sahil Gorka
A happy office, a cool boss and a cordial office environment, all this may seem a far off dream for majority of people working in offices. It’s often said, a good boss is a myth but let’s introspect upon the ways how you can be a great team leader or boss so that you draw unparalleled respect from your colleagues and subordinates without compromising upon work ethics and productivity.
It’s true that every boss was once an employee, so what you see of your superior is generally a sum of all the experiences that he has collected when he was down below the chain. It’s difficult to be liked by everyone in your office but not impossible to garner respect from all quarters. Here are a few tips that you must keep in your mind when you are on the ruling chair or heading a team so that people remember you with a smile always and don’t curse at your back.
You must know people
by their names
No sound is sweeter to a man than his own name. It establishes an immediate connection with your employees. Moreover, it gives them a positive vibe that they are important enough that the boss knows them.
Smile often and always respond
to their greetings
One who doesn’t return a greeting, rarely gets the next one. Occasionally crack a joke, be humorous and appreciate the need for humour in the office. A happy workplace is the best a man can get.
Be firm but not abusive
Give command in a firm tone, without any words that can hit below the belt. Be clear in your command, give straight directions and specify all consequences. Be clear in your aim and address them in an absolute crystal clear way although leave a space for the improvisation of your subordinates. Also a smart leader is always ready with an alternate plan.
Specify time limits
Every task must have a time frame within which it must be completed. You must demand reports at specific intervals. It’s often said that a task that is “given and not checked”, should be simply considered as “not done”.
Don’t lose temper easily
As a boss, you can take action, be firm in your approach. You can punish, reprimand but never break the decency barrier with verbal or physical abuse. The moment you leave your class and engage yourself in a brawl, you expose your reputation, ready to be maligned. Any repercussion or reply to your abuses and assault, will remain imprinted in people’s mind. They will not remember what you said, they will remember what you faced in return.
Deal people with utmost respect
The more respectful you are to them, the more they will respect you. Maybe they are younger and junior to you but you should always be open to their suggestions and ideas. Value their opinion and even if you don’t take it, respect it. Don’t reject it at the outset.
Dress up smartly
Most important of all, take care of your attire. Be perfectly suited up according to the occasion and your position. Develop a personality that can be identified from a distance. There should be an aura surrounding you so that people get a vibe of you while you pass in front of them. That adds on to the respect. Wear good quality clothes, perfume. Avoid strong smells, makeups and flashy fashionable clothes. A suit / decent clothing which is clean and nicely ironed will always inspire your subordinates to dress up smartly.
Make surprise checks
The fear of getting caught should keep everyone in check, and once you catch someone erring in their duties, set examples with strong punishments. Pardoning is good but u must set examples of punishment first, to make pardon seem like a blessing.
Be honest
Nothing beats this. Honesty is supreme. No matter how corrupt your office/establishment is, if you stay honest it serves as a deterrent for others to indulge in petty things.
Don’t indulge yourself in office politics and discourage others who do it. There will always be one or two bad fishes in the office. Stay alert from them and never get caught on wrong foot. Stay upright.
Knowledge is supreme
If you know your job well, people would simply respect you despite your shortcomings. If you don’t know your job well, then no matter what you do, they will laugh at you behind your back. To earn respect, study and learn your job so that you earn your respect. Be a prolific hard worker.
Don’t pressurize your subordinates to do something that you yourself can’t do. To make rules in the establishment you must lead by an example. By doing so, it will mean a lot to the general psyche of office. Go that extra mile in creating that perfect atmosphere in office where people look up to you as a true leader and respect you in true sense.
A good boss or leader is the best thing you can have in your life and at the same time, a bad leader is the worst nightmare for any person. Always remember, the office life always affects an individual’s personal life in a much deeper way than we can imagine.
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