Be a Better Boss

When it comes to the climbing the corporate ladder, most workers strive to advance into a senior position, but many of the employees who are given promotions admit to being less than prepared for the extra responsibilities.

While a number of senior managers do have the capabilities to handle the additional workload that comes with a promotion, many may not be ready to take on some of the challenges that comes with the new territory of overseeing a department.

The result of this has led to several blogs on Vault about dealing with your horrible boss and how to say no to your supervisor. However, bosses can avoid all of that and won’t have to worry if their underlings are searching for a job behind their back if they just follow some simple steps:

Don't doubt. A number of senior managers may not have been trained to do the job, but any work experience is relative when trying to become a better boss. Paul Becket, bureau chief of The Wall Street Journal, said that newly appointed supervisors should think about their previous managers and draw on their behavior as an example of how they would like to be (or not to be) as they settle into their new title.

Don't try to make friends. Making the transition from colleague to supervisor can often be an uncomfortable situation when trying to manage coworkers. Newly appointed managers, however, should remember that they were promoted on their merit and that they need to make sure their team succeeds. Becket said one of the biggest mistakes that a new supervisor can make is to try to remain everyone's friend. New managers should emphasize ways they can help their employees develop additional skills and prepare them for future challenges.

Become a job coach. Career consultant Monica Wofford said that many new managers don't instruct their team properly in order to get the job completed. She suggested that managers learn how to become better teachers and coaches in order to encourage successful job performance.

Seek clarification and support. Those who are newly promoted may feel as if they were thrust into their new positions without the proper training. As a result, it is common for them to feel a bit overwhelmed by the change. Wofford said that supervisors need to seek their peers to determine their exact responsibilities, including performance evaluations and expectations. Managers can also seek support from their supervisors about how they can best drive positive change within the organization, not just complete their current assignments.

Be frank, open and enthusiastic. New managers must remember to always keep the lines of communications open. Becket said that some of the best bosses help employees celebrate their accomplishments and share in their disappointments by being honest and showing sincere passion about their work.

--Published Courtesy of Brafton