13 Habits of Extraordinary Bosses
Extraordinary bosses use these
habits to bring out the extraordinary in those around them.
Probably
my favorite business book is Sylvia Lafair's Don't Bring It To Work: Breaking the
Family Patterns that Limit Success.
In that book, Sylvia describes how people can transcend the limitations of
their family background to become better workers.
In the process of describing that
transformation, Lafair describes a set of habits that define how ideal leaders
behave when they've got their beliefs aligned the right way. Here they are:
1.
They collaborate rather than grandstand.
Extraordinary bosses realize that
success doesn't have to entail only individual accomplishment. They redefine
that emotionally-packed word "success" so that wealth, position, and
fame are no longer what really matters. They realize that group success is
entirely consistent with individual accomplishment.
2.
They build communities rather than platoons.
Extraordinary bosses focus on the
basic wants and needs of the community and the desire to move from what exists
now to what is possible. This creates a groundswell of activity as more and
more people feel included and want to help. This allows them to tackle problems
at the core, in order to make change happen.
3.
They create new realities.
Extraordinary bosses create a sense
that all things are possible. Everyone who's ever faced a daunting challenge
knows how important it is to be around somebody who can communicate what seems
impossible and see the essence of hope in a haystack of adversity, allowing a
business to break through into new markets.
4.
They laugh at problems (and themselves).
Extraordinary bosses use humor put
worries into perspective, so that we can laugh at ourselves and the situation
before tackling hard work. The ability to tell the right joke at the right time
reduces office stress and builds camaraderie, which is a real advantage in
today's intense, fast-paced work environments.
5.
They help others visualize a better future.
Extraordinary bosses don't just have
a vision of the future. They also have a rare ability to understand and channel
the desires and needs of other people. They listen as much as they talk and
thus create a shared vision that motivates everybody, not just the boss. They
point to a place that we know is better and give us the courage to get there.
6.
They avidly explore new ideas.
Extraordinary bosses are always
willing to be part of the first test to make sure that a project will succeed.
They guide people into new territory, without hogging the limelight. They have
a great sense of timing and know when to wait until the kinks have been worked
out... without waiting too long.
7.
They mentor and coach.
Extraordinary bosses know how to
listen and give good advice at just the right time. Because they haven't sailed
through life, they know what it's like to overcome intense obstacles and
challenges. Most importantly, they're willing to let go when you're competent
to make your own decisions without them.
8.
They use stories to inspire.
Extraordinary bosses know that a
good story can move people to places where no PowerPoint can take them. They
know that stories help people understand how problems can be, and should be,
solved. They use stories to close the distance that voicemail, e-mails and
texting create between us.
9.
They integrate pieces into wholeness.
Extraordinary bosses have the
ability to see all sides of a situation and allow conflicting parties to not
only be heard but acknowledged. They can gather a group and find ways that
individuals can work together. They have an uncanny way of "slicing the
pie" so that while every piece may not be identical, everyone feels
treated with fairness and respect.
10.
They tell the truth, even when inconvenient.
Extraordinary bosses do not change
their minds just to pacify someone, although they are not averse to adjusting
their opinions if that will enable a conflict to push towards resolution. They
do not "beat around the bush," so you always know where you
stand. They treat you as an adult who can handle the truth rather than a
child who must be protected from it.
11.
They act before they have ALL the answers.
Extraordinary bosses can tolerate
and moderate the conflicts that inevitably show up before the creative process
comes into full bloom. They enjoy being involved in the thick of arguments,
thus allowing problems and dissent to be resolved more quickly so that the
creative process can move forward.
12.
They create a climate of trust.
Extraordinary bosses know that trust
is the glue that holds an organization together. Their commitment to build
trust creates a counter force to the deception and political game-playing that
makes so many offices difficult places to work. They know that trusting, and
being trusted, is the best way to ensure that everyone in the organizations
wins.
13.
They make peace between factions.
Extraordinary bosses cannot be
swayed to side with one group or individual against another but instead work to
preserve the integrity of the whole system. Peacemakers teach us that peace is
a state of mind and that it's still possible to be happy even in the midst of
turmoil and chaos.
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