Make Expectations Clear
It's right there in the title, "boss." You're supposed to tell people what to do. All too often, though, people in management positions forget to make expectations clear, so make sure your employees or supervisees know exactly what you want from them on every project.
Make Expectations Reasonable
With budget cuts sweeping the nation, more and more people are shouldering extra responsibilities. From volunteers at non profits to high level employees at large corporations, we're all working extra hard. In this climate, it's important to keep reasonable expectations. Don't give people tasks that are doomed to failure. If your company or department is suffering from budget cuts or employee losses, productivity may dip, so it's important not to blame employees for things they're not responsible for.
Correct Mistakes
When someone makes a mistake, let them know. This gives them an opportunity to correct it rather than making the same mistake. Correcting mistakes does not mean you're being a bully. Rather, it means you're giving people a chance to succeed.
Communicate
When you're in a position of power that allows you to see the big picture, it can be easy to forget that not everyone has the benefit of your bird's eye view. Communicate frequently with people you supervise about future plans, projects, and goals. Make sure to communicate both the positive and negative. Too often, bosses get caught up in criticizing rather than praising, so avoid this common mistake.
Treat Employees Like People
You shouldn't be overly involved in your employees' personal lives in most cases, but that doesn't mean it's not a good idea to invest in them as people. Make small talk and convey a sense of genuine care for them as people. Remembering birthdays, offering condolences when someone dies, and creating a team environment can lead to a substantially better working environment.
Criticize Constructively
Criticism can