The Most Important Leader Trait
How to treat employees right
We have all experienced bad managers in our careers. Whether it was a boss at a fast food joint, or your supervisor in a factory, or a manager that was over you in an office environment. Everyone loves to talk about bad managers.
You don’t quit a company. You quit a boss.
There are many reasons we choose to quit our job, but almost all of them can be tied back to your boss. The list of traits of a bad boss goes on and on, such as vindictive, overbearing, controlling, micromanaging, and harassing. But what makes a good boss? What kind of boss do you love to work for and makes you want to stay with a company? What is the most important leader trait?
Humility is the most important leader trait.
That is a tough pill to swallow for many of us. It is so easy, as a boss, to perceive correction from a subordinate as disrespect. Often times, it isn’t the fact that a subordinate may be right, but it may be that their approach or tone are wrong. Humility is difficult for any of us to have in a position of power, but it is vital to success. Without humility, you will lose good employees and your production will drop.
Employees, when you approach your boss with an idea, issue, or concern; make sure you have thought it out in advance. When you constantly present problems but no solutions or thoughts on how to fix it, then you’re complaining. No one likes a whiner. Instead, present the idea, issue, or concern and follow it up with a few ideas on how to fix or implement it. Not only will a good boss thank you, but they may promote you or put you in charge of that task. This is great for your career!
Bosses, hear your employees out and understand that you are in a position of power. As such, you need to show your employees grace when they have a “prickly approach” to sharing an idea, issue, or concern. They might not know how to do it the right way. Hear them out, understand what it is they want or need, and help them find a solution or make suggestions. If they don’t have the right approach, then coach them! This is a great opportunity to help them grow and mature in the workplace. After all, that is a major part of your role.
Frankly, this can be applied throughout most aspects of your life. Your friends and family can benefit from this too. If you struggle with this, then ask yourself why. What is stopping you from being able to admit when you’re wrong or when someone else is right? Be humble, show humility when corrected, and be kind always.
