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When you’re the boss, you want to do your best to effectively run your organization. But how do you motivate the people who are working for you while still seeming approachable? Whether you’re new to the job or just want to improve your performance, we can help you develop the qualities you need to be a great boss!

1

Have an open door policy.

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  1. Open door doesn’t mean that your office door is literally always open. Rather, it means that your employees can come to you with any issues or suggestions that they have, and you will be receptive. [1]
    • If you’re very busy, you can specify times when your employees can filter in or out of your office, or you can make rounds to visit your employees in their workspace.
    • Actively listen to your employees to make sure they feel like they're being heard.
    • Give serious consideration to employees' suggestions about how to improve productivity—after all, they're the ones on the ground each day!
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2

Respect and value your employees.

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  1. Every employee in your organization contributes to making your business a success. If you acknowledge their contributions, they'll feel appreciated, and they'll be more likely to keep doing good work in the future. [2]
    • Say, “I don’t say it often enough, but we couldn’t keep this place running without your hardwork. Thanks for all you do.”
    EXPERT TIP

    Elizabeth Douglas

    CEO of wikiHow
    Elizabeth Douglas is the CEO of wikiHow. Elizabeth has over 15 years of experience working and managing teams in the tech industry. She has held roles in multiple areas, including computer engineering, user experience, and product management. She received her BS in Computer Science and her Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Stanford University.
    Elizabeth Douglas
    CEO of wikiHow

    Elizabeth Douglas, CEO of wikiHow, adds: “For the kind of roles that I manage, I think it’s important to empower people to leverage their strengths to create value. This also means you need to listen when they're having problems and be receptive to feedback, both positive and negative.”

3

Create a positive atmosphere in the workplace.

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  1. Make your office a pleasant place to work by providing good lighting, encouraging a friendly attitude, and allowing employees to bring in a personal touch, such as family photos or a fun poster. Provide your employees with rewards and incentives for good work, such as a pizza party or a monthly certificate.
    • Set up a bulletin board to post about employee’s achievements. You can also create a section for photos of employees and company events.
    • Try instituting a casual Friday.
    • Make a point to celebrate holidays and birthdays.
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4

Stay involved in the day-to-day activities of the office.

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5

Assign tasks that help your employees stretch and grow.

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  1. Trust them to get the job done right, even if it's outside of their normal workload. For example, allow junior employees to work on committees alongside senior employees. [4]
    • If you don’t allow your staff to grow, they may seek other opportunities.
    • Letting employees try new things can lead to innovation. You can also use it as a strategy to increase the number of people on your staff who are able to complete certain tasks.
    • Try to support the career goals of your employees when you can. For instance, if you know an employee is interested in leading a team one day, you might assign them the lead role on a project.
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8

Delegate responsibility to avoid micromanaging.

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9

Provide your employees with regular feedback.

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  1. Employees need to know if you’re happy with their work performance, so tell your employees how they’re doing. You don’t have to have formal evaluations. Instead, incorporate feedback into your workplace operations. [8]
    • Give positive feedback during meetings, right after an employee gives a presentation, or while you walk around the office.
    • Meet with employees for a few minutes each week to discuss their projects.
    • If an employee is expecting feedback on a project, get back with them ASAP so they don't feel frustrated or anxious.
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15

Treat your employees equally.

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16

Maintain some distance from your employees.

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  1. When you’re the boss, you have to separate yourself from your employees. While you can still grab lunch or join them for the occasional happy hour, you need to behave professionally the entire time. If employees see you as a peer, you will lose your authority. [16]
    • Maintain strong boundaries around your personal life. Don’t overshare personal details, such as what you did over the weekend or the issues you’re having with a relative. [17]
    • Keep your conversations centered on the workplace or your professional experiences.
    • Also, avoid engaging in office gossip. Spreading gossip will destroy your credibility as a boss immediately. [18]

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      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      If you want to be a good boss, stay involved in the daily activities of the office so you can better understand the jobs and needs of the employees. While you’re at it, listen to their opinions and try to implement the ideas you think are most likely to succeed so they know you value their opinions. To show them you trust them, try to avoid micromanaging them, which will take some of the workload off of you as well. For more advice on being a better boss, including how to communicate with your employees better, keep reading!

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      Reader Success Stories

      • Yvette Klooster

        Nov 10, 2016

        "I have had bosses that did all these things and more. Learning to deal with that is a struggle and I certainly do ..." more
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