Supervisor, Manager, Leader: The Basics of Being a Boss

by Mike Kraus

communicate

creativity

collaborating

compromise

Leaders train their people and give them the tools they need to meet their mission.

Leaders develop and utilize effective decision-making processes for both emergency and nonemergency situations. Leaders trust themselves when making significant decisions.

Leaders understand the power of saying yes and that of saying no. They understand the importance of utilizing both words, the appropriateness of both words, and the impact they have on their people and the organization.

Leaders know they can’t do it all, and, as a result, they delegate effectively.

Leaders are professionals in appearance, communication, competence, education, self-awareness, and deportment.

dress appropriately for your position?

continually work on your communication abilities, including oral, written, and listening?

demonstrate competence

continually strive to increase your education?

Leaders understand that there are politics at play in most organizations, and the higher one moves upward, the more one will be exposed to politics.

Leaders understand that because politics do exist in the

workplace, one must have an ethical decision-making filter that must be used on a regular basis.

Leaders understand that one must be aware, equipped, and prepared to accept a position exposed to a heavy level of politics.

Leaders understand that, at some point while holding a position exposed to a heavy level of politics, one may have to say, “no, I will not go there,” and be prepared to leave the position.

Leaders recognize the value of a diverse group of individuals and the advantages they bring to the organization.

Leaders ensure that the vision and the plan are always current. They refer to the vision and the plan on a regular basis and communicate the “leader’s intent” to their people.

Leaders inspire their people and create a synergy between them that converts a group of individuals into an innovative, creative, and driven team pursing the organizational vision.

Leaders understand that the ultimate test of their abilities comes during confusing and stressful periods.

please do your best to maintain a positive work-life balance.

Life is short. Don’t shorten it even more by working to the point that you don’t enjoy life or you create health problems for yourself.

we all have to work, and we all want to be successful, but please remember, at the end of your life, before you take your last breath, your most cherished memories shouldn’t be about work.