The 5 Key Elements of An Effective Boss - Part IV - Courage

Life, be it professional or personal, certainly has its share of challenges and adversities. Courage is the quality that enables us to overcome adversity. In my view, it is the most critical of all 5 Key Elements of Effective Bosses. Little can be achieved without at least some amount of courage. A boss without it is like an art critic without sight. Webster’s Dictionary defines courage as “mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty.” Synonymous terms include: backbone, spine, guts, grit, fortitude, valor, and gallantry, etc.

All bosses, of course, encounter multiple kinds of job-related adversity or hardship. Some ineffective bosses, however, lack courage and seek ways to avoid adversity. The irony here is avoidance feeds adversity and causes it to grow and inflict greater harm.

On the other hand, an effective boss is keenly aware that along with status and title comes accountability and ownership to confront and solve adversity in the most decisive way. Courage and self-confidence are symbols of strength and stability. Those around a courageous boss enjoy a greater sense of security and confidence.

Effective bosses are respected for their courage and strength of character. Their opinions and beliefs are their own. They stand for something and are not afraid to express it. They are committed to the company’s mission while eschewing the quicksand of harmful politics.

Other behaviors, actions, attitudes, and practices of the courageous boss include:

• The courage to be themselves. They resist corporate homogenization and the pernicious effects it has the spirit of the individual.
• A dedication to principles, convictions, ideas, and beliefs.
• His/her core values are non-negotiable, despite pressures to abandon them.
• A consistent and clear sense of right and wrong. A commitment to fairness.
• The determination to be creative even within the stodgiest of workplace cultures.
• The steadfastness to remain loyal to people and relationships.
• A freedom from the burden of false perfection. Effective bosses are unafraid to admit mistakes. Their openness and self-assurance helps humanize them and their environment.
• They apologize for their errors and take action to prevent recurrence.
• Apologies are never halfhearted. Too many bosses and other leaders try to downplay their mistakes by equivocation. This makes them appear cowardly and disingenuous.
• Although a skilled delegator, an effective boss is always willing to roll up their sleeves and do the so-called “dirty work” when needed.
• The resolve to keep their sense of humor during trying times.
• Strong support for the organization and its mission, but not at any cost.
• Constructive risks are taken for the right reasons.
• The strength to oppose immoral, unprofessional, and illegal practices.
• Employees are empowered, not stifled.
• Courageous bosses find hidden value in employees thought to be mediocre.
• The bravery to try new approaches, even in a risk-averse culture.
• The effective boss seeks to understand others before expecting others to understand them.
• The courage to resist popular assumptions & group think until all facts have been learned.
• They think critically while others rush to assign simple answers to complex problems.
• S/he expresses their respectful & constructive beliefs even when they conflict with the “party line.”
• The effective boss is unafraid to trust others.
• The knowledge that change is constant and the boldness to accept, if not, embrace it.

The 5th & final Key Element of Effective Bosses is Etiquette. This is also referred to as class, manners, breeding, and refinement. Stay tuned for my next posting.