"Boss Talk" - A Differentiator

In my opinion, there isn't any difference between a Guru and a Boss. We grew up listening to "Guru Devo Bhava". This comes into a picture, based on the kind of boss that you are working for.

Close your eyes for a moment and think about your best boss you ever have worked with. And then think of the worst one. what separates them?

The best one not only does the due diligence in achieving the end result but also a good communicator. A good boss will be on his toes to skim the best of his team, placing him as a catalyst before them every day, or by giving the feeling that they are achieving their good potential every day. But the question is how do they do it?

There is no hard and fast answer to this question. Every person, every situation, every company, every relationship is different. At the same time, we all know that we should speak to our team the way we would like to be spoken to: considerately, directly, clearly.

The basic thumb rules which can bring in a paramount change in boss-team relationships:

• Don't Criticise: Am not denying the fact that you should evaluate the work of your team - that's your job. But go easy on the criticism.

unless you are prepared to rebuild, do not proceed to start a destruction

Keep using "we" when your team has lost. This will certainly uplift their shoulders to "fold their sleeves".

• Give Praise: Go easy on compliments without losing the effect. If you celebrate what you have expected, there's a possibility of lowering their standards. Don't praise simply to please.
• Practice what you preach: All that you implement gets into a vein unless you get into the action yourself.

Nothing rings more hollow than words that aren't backed up with deeds.

If discipline and ethics are important to you, then be disciplined and ethical. set the pace, demonstrate the values, establish the tone, and set the path for the rest to follow. Pick your battles, set the standards which are generally important that you can uphold and continue. If any standard is really important but finds it hard to uphold them, then you need to learn them yourself. Evidently, nobody can be good at everything.

As a boss, get used to the idea that you are primary responsible for the supply of energy. Motivate, Advice, Stabilize, provide momentum, and let the team shine.