01/03/2024
Justin Bariso on EQ Applied How to be a great boss
Have you ever asked yourself: What makes a great boss?
That's the question Google set out to answer back in 2008. Project Oxygen was a ten-year long research project meant to identify the habits of highly effective managers.
Here are the 10 behaviors Google identified, along with some practical tips on how to develop these behaviors.
(And if you're interested in learning more about what habits and tools will help you to be an effective leader, make sure not to miss the PS.)
An effective leader...
1. Is a good coach.
A good coach avoids the trap of solving every problem; rather, they use these problems as teaching moments. They guide and share insights at the right time, letting their team gain valuable experience along the way.
2. Empowers the team.
A good team lead gives their people enough freedom—freedom to explore new ideas, to experiment, and to develop (and adapt) their own working style.
In addition, they make sure their people have the tools and flexibility they need to do their jobs.
3. Creates an inclusive team environment.
Great managers make it a priority to build trust in their teams.
As Google puts it:
In a team with high psychological safety, teammates feel safe to take risks around their team members. They feel confident that no one on the team will embarrass or punish anyone else for admitting a mistake, asking a question, or offering a new idea.
4. Is productive and results-oriented.
The best managers make those around them better.
They realize what their teams are capable of, and they use emotional intelligence to motivate their people and help them realize their potential.
5. Is a good communicator.
Effective leaders:
• Are good listeners
• Praise early and often
• Give constructive feedback
• Don't shy away from difficult, but necessary, conversations
• Are transparent and share what they can.
6. Supports career development.
Great managers are invested in their people. They they support team members and help them to reach their goals, realizing not everyone wants to follow the same road.
7. Has a clear vision/strategy for the team.
Great managers know where the team has been, where they are, and where they're going—and they make sure the whole team knows, too.
They do this by consistently reiterating:
• Mission
• Strategy
• Goals
• Position (where the team is)
They are also careful to communicate "scope," realistic expectations as to what specific actions are needed to execute a strategy, and each team member's role in delivering.
8. Has key technical skills.
Great bosses understand a job well and are skilled at the work they oversee.
If they're brought into a new department, they take time to familiarize themselves with their people's everyday work and challenges. This earns them the respect of their team.
9. Collaborates.
Some managers create silos, running their teams with an "us versus them" mentality, competing against other teams within the company.
Great bosses have the ability to see the big picture, and work for the good of a company as a whole.
10. Is a strong decision maker.
Great leaders, well, lead. They make the tough decisions, and make sure everyone understands the reasons behind those decisions.
Then, they commit to following through.
Of course, this is the first step: identifying effective behaviors. The hard part is the ex*****on.
More on that next week.
Talk soon,
Justin
PS: Are you an executive, manager, or team lead? Do you have trouble practicing any of the behaviors listed above?
Would you like to have a complete toolbox, along with training on how to use those tools, to help you build AND use your emotional intelligence to lead more effectively?
Next week, I'll be opening enrollment for the next class of my Emotional Intelligence Master Class: Real-World EQ: For Leaders. This is a newly revised version of the class I taught last year, Build Real-World Emotional Intelligence; however, this version is targeted specifically at those who lead—or aspire to lead—in the workplace.
Beginning on Monday, you'll get a practical leadership tip via email every day for a week, teaching you how to be a more effective leader. It'll be like a mini-leadership course delivered direct to your inbox. Then, if you're interested in going further, you'll have the opportunity to learn more about Real-World EQ: For Leaders, including:
• Course content
• Guest speakers (I'm really excited to share these with you!)
• Days and times of the live classes (don't worry, they'll also be recorded)
• Pricing (There will also be group pricing for companies and a limited number of scholarships available.)
Stay tuned on Monday for your first email. And if you're not interested in this course, hopefully you'll still find value in the daily emails. If not, feel free to unsubscribe—you won't hurt my feelings.
