How to be a good boss

[Anonymous]

I started a small company last year, and it has grown much faster than I ever expected it would. I now have eight employees, two of whom are professional staff. Most of my employees are also friends. It's great that the company has grown so quickly, and it's really nice that I've been able to hire people whom I respect and admire and with whom I have friendships. But, it's been really hard for me to take on a leadership role without feeling like I'm pissing my employees off. When I offer up constructive criticism, I am sometimes met with resepct and understanding, and sometimes with resistance. I think all of my employees are great, but I have a couple who don't always get all of their work done, despite my explaining what needs to get done. How do I talk to them about this without hounding them? I'm so afraid of being the bad guy and of being a bad boss, and I'm afraid of losing friendships. All that said, the business is going well, everyone gets along, and I think most of this conflict is in my head. But if anyone can offer tips or if you have any suggestions for books that deal with the topic of being a good boss, please share. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Not necessarily advice but a good boss should know when to step in and when to leave people alone.

[Anonymous]

Do the feedback via questions:

How do you feel about how much of your task you accomplished?

Do you feel like you covered yourself in glory?

Do you think your parents would be proud?

Etc.

[Anonymous]

Maybe you need a manager to do your dirty work for you...

Actually that is the sign of a bad boss, I think a good boss utilizes everyone's stengths and encourages employees to grow. The way a message is received depends on how it is delivered.

If these employees are truly underperforming, then you need to deal with it. Perhaps implement a bonus structure? Or small awards and recognition to those who do perform.

Once you're the boss, it's hard to be friends especially when it is your business on the line. But the fact that you care and respect your employees is key to being a great boss.

[Anonymous]

What's the business?

Managing a bunch of masters degrees is different than managing a half dozen line cooks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do the feedback via questions:

How do you feel about how much of your task you accomplished?

Do you feel like you covered yourself in glory?

Do you think your parents would be proud?

Etc.

Huh? At the last two questions especially. "Covered yourself in glory?" And who asks a working adult if their parents would be proud?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do the feedback via questions:

How do you feel about how much of your task you accomplished?

Do you feel like you covered yourself in glory?

Do you think your parents would be proud?

Etc.

Huh? At the last two questions especially. "Covered yourself in glory?" And who asks a working adult if their parents would be proud?

+1

Do you feel as if you've lathered yourself in success?

Are you bathed in leadership?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I started a small company last year, and it has grown much faster than I ever expected it would. I now have eight employees, two of whom are professional staff. Most of my employees are also friends. It's great that the company has grown so quickly, and it's really nice that I've been able to hire people whom I respect and admire and with whom I have friendships. But, it's been really hard for me to take on a leadership role without feeling like I'm pissing my employees off. When I offer up constructive criticism, I am sometimes met with resepct and understanding, and sometimes with resistance. I think all of my employees are great, but I have a couple who don't always get all of their work done, despite my explaining what needs to get done. How do I talk to them about this without hounding them? I'm so afraid of being the bad guy and of being a bad boss, and I'm afraid of losing friendships. All that said, the business is going well, everyone gets along, and I think most of this conflict is in my head. But if anyone can offer tips or if you have any suggestions for books that deal with the topic of being a good boss, please share. Thanks!

You pull them into your office and say this stuff to them. "Jeff, this may sound a little corny, but I really value our friendship. However, sometimes when I offer up constructive criticism, I'm met with resistance, and not all the work assigned is being completed by the deadlines given. I'm not trying to come down hard on you, but I really want things to go smoothly here. When I spoke with a business consultant/my dad/my mentor/my CPA/my imaginary unicorn friend Bert, it was suggested that the employees not pulling their weight are taking advantage of our friendship, and I REALLY don't want to think that's the case. What's your impression? Am I being a sucker?"

Imply to Jeff that the problem lays with Scott and Dave, and you're hoping Jeff can tell you his interpretation. This will open the door for him to tell you his feelings about you, and to receive your message loud and clear that even if you're joking around you're still paying attention and he better pull his shit together.

It may go best to say this at the very end of the day, if not on a Friday afternoon, to give the guy time to think about it overnight. Talk with each friend you're having a problem with.

[Anonymous]

Read "Crucial Conversations"

[Anonymous]

You can't change a bad employee. If problems are do to lack of knowledge, that may be able to be dealth with. Lacking work-ethic or bad attitude, cut now and save yourself a lot of heartache & stress. One small business owner to another with 9-14 employees.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What's the business?

Managing a bunch of masters degrees is different than managing a half dozen line cooks.

not really