Sure it’s easy to criticize the boss. Everyone does it. You could do a better job, right?

Whether it’s Procurement, Credit, Sales or any other department, you’re likely to hear someone express that sentiment at one time or another. It comes with the job when you become a manager. Nothing new there.

To some workers, it’s not a complicated job.

Too bad you can’t offer them the opportunity to step into your shoes and try walking a mile or two, without stumbling. Then they might realize that being a good boss isn’t as easy as it looks from their current perspective.

There are three ways that bosses demonstrate they’re good at what they do, according to Discovery Surveys, Inc.

How do you measure up?

1. Clearly communicate what you want employees to do — and keep your ears open to listen to their feedback. Don’t assume that employees always understand your instructions. Ask them to repeat instructions back to you. Four out of 10 employees say their boss doesn’t listen to suggestions — so make a point to be available for listening.

2. Involve employees in decisions, and empower them to do their jobs well. Only half of all employees say their boss involves them in decisions. Make sure employees know you’re listening to them, and think of ways to give employees more of a say in how the job’s done.

3. Recognize employees’ achievements and remember to always treat them with respect and dignity. Find ways to catch employees in the act of following the rules or giving an especially good effort in following job duties. Instead of being singled out only when they make a mistake, catch an employee “following the rules” every once in a while.  About 30% of employees say they ”don’t get no respect” from bosses. One way to beat that: Get to know employees as people, and as more than cogs in the wheel.

Tags: credit, procurement