Steps You Can Take If You Discover You Are A Bad Boss
In our last article, Signs That You May Be A Bad Boss, we examined 12 indicators that you may be an ineffective supervisor. In this article we take a look at some steps you can take if you do discover that you are a bad boss.
6 Ways To Improve Your Supervisory Skills
Inexperience causes many new or young bosses to exhibit weak supervisory skills. Further, bosses of any age or experience level can have personality flaws, areas of weaknesses, knowledge gaps and bad habits. Add to that that bosses are human, and all humans have bad days. However, when the bad days outnumber the good, chances are that you are not a good boss. The good news is that self-improvement is possible with a little intentionality. Armed with self-awareness and a willingness to do the hard work, bad bosses can become better. Here’s where you can begin.
Examine Your Calling. Discovering you are a weak supervisor is a red flag that should cause you to revisit your calling and if this is really where and how God has called you to serve.
Examine Your Gifts, Strengths, and Passions. Once you become aware you are ineffective as a boss, it’s time to look again at your God given gifts, strengths and passions. Sometimes we realize that we are a victim of the Peter Principle, that we have been promoted to a level that doesn’t fit our skills, giftedness, or passions.
Look For Training. Universities, non-profits, denominations, and various leadership-based organizations abound with degrees, conferences, and certifications on leadership, management and supervision. Some of the best and most accessible in my experience are offered by the Gallup Organization.
Seek Coaching. Most, if not all, leaders would benefit from executive level coaching. If you are responsible for people, then it is essential you have someone who can coach you through the challenges of leadership, management and supervision.
Listen To Your Employees. All bosses can benefit from becoming better listeners. This is especially true if you are displaying the symptoms of a bad boss. Hearing what your employees want, how they feel, and how they perceive your leadership is a good step towards becoming a better boss.
Ask A Trusted Friend. If you have doubts about the effectiveness of your leadership, then often a trusted colleague can provide you some honest third-party perspective that can help you gain a truer grasp on reality.
If you do discover that you are a bad boss, it is not helpful to you or your employees to put up your defenses or ignore the problem and simply do nothing. It is time to take a long hard look in the mirror, take steps to understand the problem, then develop a plan for addressing it. Remember, the only truly bad boss is one who won’t admit it, or who is unwilling to take the necessary steps to change.
Posted on November 1, 2022
