11 Things Your Boss Can’t Have Without YOUR Approval
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11 Things Your Boss Can’t Have Without YOUR Approval
Why are managers puzzled by employees who are highly motivated outside of work but show little initiative on the job; people who put in time but no energy; people who spend more time working on their résumés than on the activities at hand. A management style that produces these results obviously won’t be enough to compete in today’s global economy, especially given changes taking place in the attitudes of workers today.
Companies that search for the best and brightest people must learn that their efforts shouldn’t end when those people join the organization. To retain these employees, companies should invest heavily in them, both personally and professionally. Today, employees demand trust and respect. They want their input solicited, their strengths utilized, and their contributions valued. Furthermore, they want and should be given challenging new responsibilities that stretch their potential.
Today, great leaders have no need to pull rank or resort to command and control to get results. Instead, they’re effective because they’re knowledgeable, admired, trusted, and respected. This helps them secure buy-in automatically, without requiring egregious rules or strong oversight designed to force compliance. The fact is, great leaders hire outstanding people, train them well, inspire them, and then get out of their way. Period.
Now, think about the bosses with whom you come into contact each day. Some of those folks demand respect because of their title or because they have a corner office. The truth is, they won’t get respect without your approval. The truth is, titles should all but disappear in organizations. “Organization charts in a company neither define relationships as they actually exist nor direct the lines of communication. If the organization does not exist in the minds and hearts of the people, it does not exist. No chart can fix that. An organization’s function is simple: to provide a framework, a format, a context in which people can effectively use resources to accomplish their goals,” said author James A. Autry in Love and Profit: The Art of Caring Leadership.
It doesn’t matter whether people are young or old, rich or poor, work on the top floor or down in the basement, everyone earns respect the same way. You can’t demand trust, respect, or loyalty. You can’t cut deals or take shortcuts. You can’t buy credibility or even place a price tag on it. And that’s because it’s priceless. You earn it every day!
11 Things Your Boss Can’t Have Without YOUR Approval
- Trust
- Respect
- Loyalty
- Admiration
- Credibility
- Buy-in
- Honesty
- Candid feedback
- Commitment
- 100% effort
- Enthusiasm
Does Your Boss Have YOUR Approval?
Additional Reading:
Leadership Scorecard
50 Ways to Lose Trust and Credibility
Can Money Buy Respect?
The Values on Which Trust Rests
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Frank, There is so much truth in your post! I was just visiting with a man that has a titled leader above his that believes his title should give him honor, perks, benefits and the right to bully others! The man I spoke to said, I respect his position – but I don’t respect him. That man will continue to do his job but that titled leader will never have those 11 things!
Hi Chery
There are two types of bosses that I’ve experienced. The first one sounds like your friend 🙂 He never misses an opportunity to show you who’s in charge and believes that employees are little more than worker bees who obey orders and follow the rules. In return for their good behavior, and if they’re lucky, employees may get to keep their jobs. The rallying cry of these bosses is, “Do what I say or else.” To them, there’s nothing that another rule or policy can’t fix.
Contrast this with a leader who garners trust and respect from his or her employees. This helps secure buy-in automatically, without requiring a command and control management style. I worked for such a man twenty-five years ago. I consider it an honor and a privilege to have worked for him. After all these years if he needed my support, I would move heaven and earth for him. That’s leadership!
Have an awesome day!
Best,
Frank
There is much truth is your article! I am witness to one president who constantly prides himself on being a leader, but he is merely a manager. Action speaks louder than mere words. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Mari
There’s a tremendous difference between leadership and management. Merely having a title doesn’t make someone a leader.
Thanks for taking the time to write.
Best,
Frank