You’re the Boss
by Miki Saxon
Yesterday was Boss’ Day and it reminded me of The Top Five Things To Remember If You’re A CEO cards my company gives out.
Although the handout says “CEO,” the content is applicable at every level of management—right down to team leader.
I thought I would share these five “if you remember nothing else” points, because doing them consistantly will change you and your group more than you can imagine.
Remember, the only position-based change is the scope and that’s easy to tweak.
- Foremost, you are guardian of the big picture. You must clearly identify the goals of the company, then work with your people to turn them into specifics. Get their buy-in by making sure they understand how their goals, the company’s, and others’ interact. The biggest rewards at all levels should go to those who understand the company’s goals, and ethically do whatever is necessary to achieve them—especially when it takes precedence over their personal goals.
- You set the tone of the organization. If you’re political, secretive, nitpicking, or querulous, that is how your organization will be. No matter what — your people will do as you do, not as you say.
- People produce best if they know, and help determine, the range of their control. The parameters should be clearly defined and inviolate. Their decisions inside those parameters are final, decisions outside them require approval. Through discussion of their performance, the parameters will grow or shrink. Your company’s strength will increase in direct proportion to your people’s growth, so make those parameters as broad as possible.
- Never criticize an employee in the presence of others. Praise in public, criticize in private.
- Every successful company must have a competitive edge. Enhance your people’s ability to do their jobs by clearly defining and communicating what it is.
Flickr image credit: Kumar Appaiah
