7 Simple Ways to Be a Better Boss
I’d venture to guess you’ve dealt with a poor manager or boss at some point in your life. Unfortunately, it can happen in any job anywhere, whether it’s a corporate position at a Fortune 500 company or a part-time job at your local coffee shop.
Have you ever worried that YOU’RE that boss?! Or wondered if you’re doing it right?
In my own career, from corporate life to entrepreneurship, there are a few things I've found that make an exceptional manager, especially when leading a remote team of contractors.
Overall, micromanaging is the biggest mistake leaders make.
Leaders are often afraid of giving up control, so they may check in too often and breathe down the necks of their team.
They think having a heavy hand in all parts of the business is keeping it well maintained, while really it’s showing distrust and leading the team to perform worse than they would if there was a culture of safety and trust.
And micromanaging can happen both subtly and overtly.
Here are a few signs you may be micromanaging your team:
Asking for multiple updates after assigning a task, especially before the deadline.
Doing or finishing a task yourself because you think you can do it better.
Providing excessive detail for simple assignments, rather than trusting your team member to navigate it on their own.
Feeling frustrated when some tasks aren’t done the way you would do them.
Questioning the amount of time a team member spends on a task.
Uncontrollable worrying that something won’t get done on time or the way you want it done.
If you read that list and are thinking, “Uh oh… that kind of sounds like me,” don’t worry! Seriously. I think we’ve all been there, especially when we’re first starting to outsource.
Sure, you can take courses on college courses on management, but ultimately good leadership is learned by experience… If you've only had hyper-controlling bosses, how would you know what it's like to experience the trust of a leader?
The truth? Trust from a leader is absolutely amazing... empowering, energizing and something most freelancers don’t want to take advantage of.
The more you trust them, the better performance you receive.
Plus, most bloggers and online entrepreneurs just don’t have any management experience! And there’s no shame in that.
You jumped into your business because you have passion and interest. And now you are trying to figure out management. The GOOD news is that you’re willing to learn and adjust.
7 ways to effectively manage your team and show you trust them.
If you’re working on managing your team in a more effective and healthy way, try these 7 methods to communicate better, show your trust and grow together as a team.
1. Set clear expectations.
You get to choose what flies, what doesn't and how this partnership will work from the get go!
If you have trouble letting go of control, the best thing you can do is be ultra-clear with your goals, standards and expectations with your team right away.
Meaning: If you want things done a certain way, tell them! If you have a particular business pet peeve, it’s up to you to let them know so they’re at least aware of what’s expected from them.
A good partnership starts with a solid foundation, so be sure everyone is on the same page and understands the expectations.
2. Appreciate your team.
Gratitude goes a long way, and it shows you trust and acknowledge the work your team’s putting in. The smallest things count and add up, too, like a quick text or thoughtful email after a team member nails an assignment.
It takes a little extra effort to go out of your way to thank, acknowledge or wish someone a happy birthday, but it’s those special call-outs that lead to a strong working relationship over time.
Even if they miss the mark sometimes, positive feedback will encourage them to get back on track because they’ll understand what you need from them next time.
It’s kind of like kids, right? We all respond so much better to positive feedback rather than someone harping on the negative..
3. Check in regularly.
But not too regularly. Set a short monthly update meeting to make sure things are still working well on all ends. Plus, it gives the opportunity to work through any questions or concerns.
Having regular check-in meetings should give you the confidence that everything is moving forward as planned. And it should help you to not feel like you need to always ask how projects and tasks are coming along.
4. Give space for deadlines.
Keep in mind, your freelancers likely have several other clients, and allowing for ample time for deadlines shows you respect their time and capacity.
I typically give at least a week for deadlines; that way, there’s room to work on tasks without being rushed.
If it’s a larger project, I’ll give two weeks to a month, or break it down into smaller deadlines.
On the occasion I need something turned around urgently, I always reach out to my team to make sure they’re available and able to handle the last-minute change.
I also try to make it their choice out of respect, asking to let me know if they’re unable to fit it in. I don’t ever want my changes to be their burden.
5. Show grace when needed.
Everyone slips up or misses deadlines. It’s just a part of being a human, and a good manager understands an occasional “oops” moment. If it happens once in a while, remember it's not the end of the world, and they'll probably do better next time if they're offered grace.
That said, you have permission to offer your constructive feedback on what went wrong and what you’d rather see the next go round.
Always affirm them and let them know what they’re doing right, too, so it doesn’t feel like they’ve totally failed. For more on how to handle feedback with a freelancer, check out this post.
6. Let go of a "my way or the highway" mentality.
I get that many entrepreneurs are Type A, but be open to how your contractor does things. It may actually teach you something new!
You may have to have certain systems and workflows for some of your projects, but stay open to recommendations or ideas from your team.
While it’s great to know what you like, it’s more important to be receptive to what your team brings to the table. You don’t have to run with every idea, but you might find that there are better processes out there that you’ve never considered.
7. Ask for feedback.
It's only fair to consider your working partnerships as a two-way relationship. Blogging and other forms of online entrepreneurship are kind of lonely. It's easy to be in a vacuum where we don't realize how our actions are affecting others.
Asking for feedback is also a good way to build trust, especially with a new team member.
Here are a few questions you can ask:
How can I make your work easier?
What can I do differently?
What do you need from me to be most effective in your position?
Your management decisions set the tone for your team.
Staying open with your team will create an environment of trust, respect and strength. Your team will feel safe in their roles to perform at their best and come to you with questions and concerns. And, you’ll feel so much less anxious allowing them to show up fully in their roles!
Rising tides raise all ships, so leading by example and keeping the lines of communication open are key to developing a high-performing team.
