Women's Life Link Be Well, Be Happy, Be YOU!
Maybe you’ve just received a promotion, or perhaps you’re thinking about saying yes to a leadership role in a new job. You might be considering becoming your own boss. No matter what career moves you’ve made, you have the potential to become a boss!
However, before you dive in and do your best to be an effective leader, it’s best to double-check your readiness. Preparing to be a boss is the best way to see your role through and earn respect from the team you lead. Let’s face it, you’re probably quite nervous about taking the helm! So let’s look at some ways to make sure you’re ready.
Understand Your New Boundaries
Becoming a boss means putting firm boundaries in place to ensure your staff see you as an authority figure. You’re friendly to them and it’s fine to have a chat or spend your break time together. That said, there needs to be new lines between what’s appropriate and what isn’t.
Indeed, you can no longer let any workplace gossip fly. If someone comes to you ranting about something annoying in the workplace listen but be cautious. You may have to act on the problem or simply let it go. Boundaries need to be clear to your staff, but the real test will comes in adjusting to these new boundaries yourself.
Do Leadership Training
Training is a never ending process in the career world. It’s rare for someone to reach a position where they’ve learned all they need to learn. Even those at the top of their careers with the most polished resumes can still learn from a good training program.
For anyone seeking a leadership role for the first time, check out leadership seminars. Sign up for a course that could be a stepping stone between what you’re doing now and discovering what you’re capable of. You may be able to access this training through your current workplace.
Don’t Think You’re Infallible
Anyone can make mistakes. Even those in higher level positions in the workplace are at risk of getting things wrong. It’s also easy for someone becoming a boss by promotion or starting a business to believe they’ve transcended workplace issues.
Long story short, being the boss doesn’t make you perfect or infallible. In fact, it’s more important than ever to know your faults and accept responsibility. The more you can do this, the more likely you are to get respect and seem approachable.
The process that takes you from being an employee to a boss is deeferent for everyone. If you get the opportunity to discuss the specific requirements for promotion with your boss, do it. Doing this and soul-searching are the most important steps to beciming a boss.
