How to be a good boss in bad times

Glenford Smith, Career Writer

Being a leader - executive director, manager, supervisor - can be a challenging job in the best of times. However, when your company is facing serious challenges to survive, your leadership role becomes even more critical. Unfortunately, many bosses who did well when things were going well find it very difficult to be good bosses in bad times. How can you be a better boss during these really challenging times?

Making the sales or performance target is crucial, but it is also important to be concerned about the morale of your staff as well as being realistic about the divisional or departmental deliverables. Effective leaders are aware of all factors that affect their outcomes. Don't cover up problems - communicate them honestly with staff.

Psychologist Dr Daniel Goleman identifies empathy as a key ingredient in emotional intelligence, which he asserts is even more important than intellectual brilliance.

Empathy means showing your people that you care about them as individuals, not just as workers. One essential lesson all good leaders learn is that: "People don't care how much you know or how good you are until they know how much you care."

Especially as you demand greater efficiency and productivity from fewer workers for the same pay, it is important that you show you care about their problems too. Ask about how they are managing financially, what you can do to help. Even if you can't pay them more, your caring attitude will win their respect, commitment and undying loyalty.

Communicate a vision for a brighter tomorrow

Things may be hard for the company now, but good leadership requires vision.

This vision must be rooted in your company's core values and priorities. Leadership expert John C. Maxwell asserts that: "A leader knows the way, goes the way and shows the way."

Even in the most dire circumstances it is crucial to have a vision for a better future, and to convincingly communicate that vision to your staff. It gives them hope and inspiration to weather the current economic storms.

DON'T BE BOSSY

Good leaders don't have to boss workers around to prove they're in charge. One of the emerging paradigm shifts in leadership thinking globally is what Professor Linda Hill of Harvard Business School refers to as "leading from behind". This doesn't mean abdicating your responsibility but rather being willing to listen and foster consensus. Recognise that you don't have all the answers - benefit from your people's ideas too. Also, don't just criticise, but also be quick to praise outstanding work and reward initiative.

"Nothing builds a stronger case for holding employees to a higher standard than a boss who holds himself or herself to even higher ones," writes former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani in his best-selling book Leadership.

Be a model of hard work, excellence, optimism, self-discipline and self-responsibility. You set the tone for your department, division or company.

Glenford Smith is a motivational speaker and personal achievement strategist.

glenfordsmith@yahoo.com