Am I A Good Boss?

Being the boss and making the tough decisions isn’t easy. Keeping everyone happy, motivated, and productive whilst winning new business and paying the bills is quite a juggle.

Whilst our speciality is straightforward bookkeeping, we know that every part of running a business needs looking after. Even if you’re the only one that you’re the boss of, here are a few things to remember.

Being realistic about goals

No matter how driven and ambitious, setting unrealistic goals can have its downsides. If something is absolutely not achievable, be wary of the accompanying sense of failure. Instead, focus on all the steps you’ve taken towards it.

It’s better for morale all round, and can also help avoid the influence of desperation on decision-making. Use the data to see what’s really achievable, and celebrate when you get there!

This also applies to managing expectations for other people so they don’t lose faith in themselves or others.

Admit your own mistakes too

We’re all only human, and mistakes happen to all of us. Being honest about your own mistakes fosters a real sense of camaraderie. A pragmatic approach to someone putting their hand up to confess is also good for the team. They’re more likely to be open next time too, and it helps stop any resentment building up.

If you’re working alone, this advice still stands. Be honest with yourself about what needs improvement, but be kind, too (remember about being realistic with goals?).

Everyone is accountable

If someone is responsible for a project or task, ask them to feed back about it. It gives them a chance to grow and benefit from your oversight. Doing this is also a positive way for someone to show off their achievements, whilst motivating them to make sure there are some!

Only holding some people to account if they hold the same level of responsibility as others can also become a problem. Nobody likes to feel like they’re being picked on, or the one holding things up without the recognition that comes with it.

Minding those manners

Even if you ask, rather than tell, someone to do something – are you just being rhetorical? You might need a task to be completed, but leave a space for employees to explain why they can’t be the one to do it, or can’t do it just yet. There might be other fires being fought that haven’t reached you yet, or (those goals again) there simply isn’t enough resource to go round.

Asking for guidance

If you hire expertise, consult it. It’s good for the business, good for self worth, and stops the experts minding quite so much when they have to fix the thing that broke.

Learn more about using Pandle to make business accounting easier. Create an account today and decide what to do with all the extra time you get back.