The constant advancement of technology and the shift toward hybrid work environments redefine what effective leadership looks like. The expectations placed on leaders are changing at an equally quick pace as AI and digital tools become more and more integrated into our everyday operations.
So, what qualities make a good boss?
Workers want managers that establish reasonable goals, lead with empathy, and communicate clearly. This is what you need to succeed as an employer in the modern era.
Clear communication
It’s important to communicate clearly when things are unclear. Workers want their managers to communicate with them in a clear, honest manner that goes beyond plans and directions. It involves outlining the goals, priorities, and direction of the team as well as providing justification for choices made.
The basis for success is laid by a leader’s capacity to specify roles, responsibilities, and expectations. Workers must understand what “done well” really means in order to focus their efforts and perform successfully. This transparency extends to feedback, which needs to be given in a constructive, frequent, and early manner. Good managers can create a culture where workers are encouraged to keep learning, growing, and improving by giving them regular, practical feedback.
Establishing trust also requires “plain speak” in communication. Workers desire straightforward, honest, and transparent communication from their leaders. Being honest isn’t the only aspect of transparency. It has to do with proactively communicating important realities. If the news is unpleasant, employees are more likely to comprehend and accept it if it is presented understandably and compassionately.
Human-centered, compassionate focus
Workers nowadays are dealing with never-before-seen levels of stress and disengagement. 59% of workers worldwide are disengaged, according to the most recent Gallup State of the Global Workplace 2023 Report. By putting up little effort and productivity and feeling disengaged from their work, they are quietly leaving. The survey also showed that staff stress levels are still at all-time highs, with 44% of respondents saying they felt extremely stressed out every day. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that 51% of employed individuals are actively looking for new employment alternatives.
Good managers need to show that they genuinely care about the welfare of their staff in order to buck this tendency. This entails scheduling frequent check-ins and monitoring the travel patterns of your personnel. It involves asking insightful questions, demonstrating a real interest in their answers, understanding their struggles, and helping them get past these obstacles.
Human-centered leadership acknowledges that individuals influence performance and puts the needs of the individual before those of the task. Using this strategy, executives create an atmosphere where staff members feel heard, respected, and valued. It entails expressing gratitude, acknowledging accomplishments, and appreciating achievements.
In the end, to be a compassionate leader, we must accept our own humanity and sincerely connect with that of the people around us. “People won’t remember what you say and do, but they will remember how you made them feel,” as Maya Angelou once eloquently stated.
Realistic expectations
Having reasonable and clear expectations from a leader is crucial, especially during times of overwhelm when everything seems to be out of control. This includes work flexibility, behavioral norms, workload sustainability, and job needs. A good manager should balance ambition with achievability by setting clear expectations. Workers ought to be fully aware of their responsibilities and the expectations for their conduct. The employee is better prepared for success and confusion is lessened thanks to this clarity.
Maintaining a sustainable workload is also essential. To avoid burnout and promote a healthy work-life balance, leaders must make sure that workloads are reasonable. If they don’t, they run the danger of having their staff members quit or take unpaid sick or stress leaves.
In today’s business, work flexibility and design are now considered necessities. When it comes to different working styles and personal situations, good managers should do everything in their power to provide their staff with the freedom they need to give their best work.
Developing a leadership approach ready for the future
The characteristics that workers look for in a supervisor are changing as we move into the second half of 2024, but the fundamentals of good leadership—transparent communication, human-centered compassion, and reasonable expectations—remain the same. Good bosses excel in these areas. They will not only overcome obstacles; they will also motivate and inspire their groups, provide stability, cultivate trust, and impart hope. These characteristics foster an environment where workers feel empowered, respected, and expected to succeed.
(Tashia Bernardus)