It's FRIDAY!!!! Although.. in current times Friday doesn't really cut the same feeling of weekend liberation it had a year ago ..however, it still gives that warm fuzzy feeling of being able to relax before Monday rears up its head all over again. Staying in IS the new going OUT! I've fully embraced and convinced myself that I do indeed need a good investment of cosy pajamas somewhat this winter...if you have to stay in let's get serious about being seriously comfortable.
With the topic of 'comfortable'... in the forefront of my mind (that warm, snuggle puppy eyed.....ooieeee feeling).. I contemplate that we all want to be comfortable, it's in our nature, it's primal instinct that leads to fight or flight. What I consider is... how does this affect us in our working environment? Is there a point in your job where you are too comfortable? Can being comfortable be actually, really be a negative thing? Can it impact career growth? Can you and will you still push forward, grow, strive to learn more and work toward bigger... better goals? I'd have to agree, being comfortable at work isn't getting you anywhere. Guys and gals...if you are slightly uncomfortable at work then that's the place you need to be.
My next line of thought is - bosses...oh bosses, some may recoil into their chairs and ask how dare I mention that 'B' word so close to the weekend bliss. Others may have nothing but good, positive feelings. I'm thinking that there's really nothing in between when it comes to this subject.
So what makes a good boss a 'good boss'?
Self awareness
Mentoring Skills
Communication skills
Motivation skills
A high EQ - Emotional intelligence
The availability to give open and honest feedback (like it or not)
Trust
Inspiration to inspire
Without getting bogged down in negativity for the 'bad boss' traits list, I will leave you to work out that a 'bad boss' may lack in these areas... somewhat.
For those aspiring bosses out there and those bosses that want to prove their 'good boss' status let's look at what surveys say.
-A study by careerbuilder.com shows a huge 58% of managers said they actually have NO management training. Being promoted because one is good at what one does doesn't automatically qualify as someone who can lead.
-Global studies note that 79% of people quit their jobs through 'lack of appreciation'. Goes to show people tend to leave bosses more than leaving the "job".
-Harvard Business School’s Amy Cuddy and her research partners have also shown that leaders who project warmth – even before establishing their competence – are more effective than those who lead with their toughness and skill. Why? One reason is trust. Employees feel greater trust with someone who is kind.
-A report on Social Media Today said 38% of employees don’t get asked for their input or information.
-Accenture reported that 31% said they didn’t like their boss, and felt a lack of empowerment.
The 21st century is quickly evolving and companies face new leadership challenges every day. Leaders are acquiring new levels of understanding, inspiring others to perform and innovate in a hugely rapid changing new world policies, disciplines and technologies.
