My first real job where there was a paycheck was at 13 years old at a local pizza joint. It was "the" pizza joint in town run by a graduate of the college where my parents both taught. This meant it was okay to work there as they trusted him. Most of the kids in Branson, MO worked over the summer because it was (and still is) a huge tourist destination. Despite being busy with camps and sports we found a few hours to earn a little money each summer. If you could do it someplace that taught valuable skills and where you had a great experience it was even better!
One Saturday night it was especially busy and we hustled from 5 pm to midnight. The time went fast. After closing we were cleaning up and our boss called us all over to the register. He said how much he appreciated our hard work. He went on to thank each of us for our contributions to the team that made it a successful night. He ended his short speech by telling us how much we had exceeded the average earnings for a Saturday night. We were stunned. Most of us didn't know how much the restaurant made on any night, or day for that matter. We all swelled with pride as we put quarters in the jukebox and finished cleaning up singing loudly to the songs we picked.
All these years later, that night still stands out to me. Here are a few things we learned about how to be a leadership boss...
They earn your trust
Lead by example, model the way, and align saying & doing.
They understand you have a life
Work and life aren’t separate, work is part of life. Recognize the time they are choosing to spend with you and appreciate their effort.
They listen, then act
Everyone brings their own meaning to the work. Seeking multiple perspectives helps with decision-making and results in collaborative action.
They help you find purpose in your work
Connecting everyone's “why” to the values and mission of the organization aligns efforts.
They celebrate small wins
What’s rewarded will be repeated. Consistent informal and formal recognition makes desired behaviors easier and bad behavior harder.
They are upfront about their quirks
Being honest about what it’s like to work with you takes great self-awareness. Emotional intelligence is their guide and allows team members to put their whole selves into the work.
They build a team
You lead a team and manage resources. Human skills mold a group of people into a team.
They invest in you personally
You get poor by taking from others. You get rich by giving to others. Know and grow team members' strengths.
They let go
Nobody likes to be micromanaged. Having the courage to delegate sends a strong message of trust. You must give away trust to get it!
They start you off on the right foot
Communicating a success plan for working together and the expectations of the relationship are essential. Assume positive intent, nobody wants to be the "flat tire" of the team.
They solve problems with you
Together is better. Suggesting is always better than telling. Being a guide toward the best decisions and actions engages the right intentions.
What we learned that night and as we continued to work for him was invaluable. We knew that he appreciated everyone on the team. It took everyone to make the business run smoothly and successfully. We learned everybody matters. We learned you don't work for a great boss you work WITH them. We learned a great boss displays great leadership!
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