Mark Topley explores what it means to be a great boss, and to lead a productive, happy team and a sustainable, responsible business.
As the world continues to change and evolve, so do the expectations and requirements of being a great boss. In 2023, simply meeting the bottom line is no longer enough.
A successful business needs a leader who is not only effective in their management style but is also dedicated to the wellbeing of their employees, the success of their team, and the overall sustainability and responsibility of their practice.
Time and investment
Becoming a great boss is not something that happens overnight. It requires time, effort, and a genuine commitment to personal growth.
To lead others effectively, you must first be willing to invest in yourself by learning new skills, staying informed about industry trends, and consistently refining your management style.
You need to continually develop your clinical skills. However, too often, people leave their critical leadership skills underdeveloped. The best leaders recognise that they must continually grow and adapt to stay ahead in today’s fast-paced business environment.
Lead yourself
To be a great boss, you must first learn to lead yourself. This means taking responsibility for your actions, being honest with yourself about your strengths and weaknesses, and working diligently to improve in areas where you might be lacking.
Only when you can effectively manage your own behaviour, emotions, and reactions can you begin to guide others with confidence and competence.
Set the right tone
Setting clear expectations and boundaries for your team is critical. Your team members need to understand what’s expected of them and what the consequences are if they don’t meet those expectations.
You need to communicate those expectations clearly, consistently and hold yourself and your team accountable for meeting them.
Connecting
Connecting with your team is critical to being a great boss. You need to understand the team’s strengths, weaknesses, and motivations, and build trust and rapport so that they feel comfortable coming to you with issues or concerns.
You also need to show appreciation and recognition for their hard work and achievements.
Selecting the right people, delegating, training and building
Building a great team requires more than just hiring the right people. You need to delegate effectively, train your team, and strategically build your team’s strengths. Understand the skills and expertise that are required for your team to be successful, and then identify those skills in potential hires.
Once you have the right people on board, you need to delegate effectively to ensure that everyone is working to their strengths.
Also, provide ongoing training and development opportunities to help your team grow and improve.
Running a responsible and sustainable business
In 2023, a great boss is one who is committed to doing good, not just for the business, but also for society as a whole.
Running a responsible and sustainable business is absolutely fundamental to being a great boss.
It means taking responsibility for the impact that your business has on the environment, your employees, and the communities that you operate in. It means being transparent about your business practices and working to create a positive impact.
Running a sustainable business means investing in renewable energy, reducing waste and emissions, and implementing ethical and fair working practices.
It also means supporting local communities, investing in employee wellbeing, and giving back to society through philanthropy and social initiatives.
Being a great boss in 2023 involves much more than driving profits. It requires a deep commitment to personal growth, effective communication, building strong teams, and fostering a responsible, sustainable business.
As the world evolves, so must our approach to leadership. By prioritising the wellbeing of employees, the environment, and society, we can create successful businesses that stand the test of time.
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