Dr. Travis Bradberry wrote a LinkedIn article1 entitled 7 Core Beliefs of Great Bosses. We’ve taken a little license with his thoughts and come up with five slightly modified beliefs for your consideration.
Employees are unique individuals, not clones. This is a critical belief for several reasons. First, it paves the way for individuals to aspire and achieve in areas that play to their strengths and passions. Clones do not have that freedom. Second, people who are seen as individuals and are encouraged to contribute in their own special way, make better employees in the sense of engagement and loyalty. They are more likely to be all-in than anyone treated as a clone.
Diversity, not like-mindedness, should be embraced. Diversity in perspective and interests makes for better decisions at all levels. It’s not always as smooth or conflict-free or comfortable as those organizations that insist on like-mindedness but it makes for better processes as well as service and product offerings.
Work should be enjoyable. It’s the only way to raise employee engagement to above average levels as well as retain top performers.
Motivation, is better in the long run, coming from inspiration, not fear. Fear works as a motivational tool but it has an expiration date. Sooner or later, people motivated by fear get fed up or fatigued. Either way, they leave, usually in correlation with their value to the organization–the most valuable leaving first.
Change is an opportunity, not a curse. This may be the most challenging reframe that any business leader has to deal with. Again, change is not always smooth or conflict-free or comfortable but it’s an opportunity for those who embrace it. Just reflect on those organizations that haven’t changed with the times. They don’t always fail but they always pay a price for dragging their feet.
The quotes:
“The best leader is the one who has sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants done, and self-restraint enough to keep from meddling with them while they do it.” ― Theodore Roosevelt
“A leader is admired, a boss is feared.” ― Vicente del Bosque
“A Harvard Medical School study has determined that rectal thermometers are still the best way to tell a baby’s temperature. Plus, it really teaches the baby who’s boss.” ― Tina Fey
1Published on December 14, 2016: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/core-beliefs-great-bosses-dr-travis-bradberry
Vicente del Bosque. (n.d.). BrainyQuote.com. Retrieved May 25, 2017, from BrainyQuote.com Web site: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/v/vicentedel487283.html
Tina Fey. (n.d.). BrainyQuote.com. Retrieved May 25, 2017, from BrainyQuote.com Web site: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/t/tinafey145038.html
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