20 Feb 13 Habits of Extraordinary Bosses…and Parents?
I was reading this article just the other day and wondered, could these 13 habits of extraordinary bosses also apply to parents?
Keep reading then let me know what you think…
by Geoffrey James (Inc)
The most popular post I've ever written is The Core Beliefs of Extraordinary Bosses. However, while that post clearly struck a chord, it lacked something important: a code of behavior that puts those beliefs into action.
Probably my favorite business book is Sylvia Lafair's Don't Bring It To Work: Breaking the Family Patterns that Limit Success. In that book, Sylvia describes how people can transcend the limitations of their family background to become better workers.
In the process of describing that transformation, Lafair describes a set of habits that define how ideal leaders behave when they've got their beliefs aligned the right way. Here they are:
1. They collaborate rather than grandstand.
Extraordinary bosses realize that success doesn't have to entail only individual accomplishment. They redefine that emotionally-packed word "success" so that wealth, position, and fame are no longer what really matters. They realize that group success is entirely consistent with individual accomplishment.
2. They build communities rather than platoons.
Extraordinary bosses focus on the basic wants and needs of the community and the desire to move from what exists now to what is possible. This creates a groundswell of activity as more and more people feel included and want to help. This allows them to tackle problems at the core, in order to make change happen.
3. They create new realities.
Extraordinary bosses create a sense that all things are possible. Everyone who's ever faced a daunting challenge knows how important it is to be around somebody who can communicate what seems impossible and see the essence of hope in a haystack of adversity, allowing a business to break through into new markets.
4. They laugh at problems (and themselves).
Extraordinary bosses use humor put worries into perspective, so that we can laugh at ourselves and the situation before tackling hard work. The ability to tell the right joke at the right time reduces office stress and builds camaraderie, which is a real advantage in today's intense, fast-paced work environments.
5. They help others visualize a better future.
Extraordinary bosses don't just have a vision of the future. They also have a rare ability to understand and channel the desires and needs of other people. They listen as much as they talk and thus create a shared vision that motivates everybody, not just the boss. They point to a place that we know is better and give us the courage to get there.
6. They avidly explore new ideas.
Extraordinary bosses are always willing to be part of the first test to make sure that a project will succeed. They guide people into new territory, without hogging the limelight. They have a great sense of timing and know when to wait until the kinks have been worked out… without waiting too long…
…keep reading HERE