Here’s Why The Boss Doesn’t Need To Know All The Answers
Partnered Content.
Behind every good company is a great leader. They have driven the business forwards, hired the best staff team, and worked hard behind the scenes to make sure the profit margins have increased. They do their job, and they do the job well. They let their employees get on with their jobs too, with a hands-off approach so they can’t be called a controlling boss. On the other hand…
Then there are those leaders who think they need to have all the answers. In fear of losing face in front of others, they find it necessary to have some control over every facet of the business. When somebody comes to them with a question, they feel as if they have to know the answer. They feel their credibility will be knocked if they show any signs of a weakness, so they will make sure they know everything about everything, or at least bluff their way towards a convincing response to difficult questions. These people are also worried about the business falling down around them. If they don’t know how everything works, how will anybody else know what they are doing?
Which boss are you?
As the employer, there are a few things that need to be a part of your job. For example, you should…
– Have a job description that dictates where your duties lie.
– Help your employees reach their potential.
– Have the knowledge and skill set to manage a business from the top.
– Keep up to date with the latest developments and trends in your business.
You don’t need to do the following.
– Micromanage your employees every movement to make sure they are doing their job.
– Be more skilled and knowledgeable than every employee, in every area of your business.
– Work long hours to correct the work done by your team.
– Have the answer to every question your employee asks you.
If you try and have all the answers, the following will happen.
– Your employees will resent you, as you may claim authority over a subject you know little about, and they will feel undermined as a result.
– You will gain a reputation for being a controlling and egocentric boss.
– You will burn yourself out trying to be the best in every area of your business.
– There will be little time for you to get on with the areas in business that should be part of your remit.
You need to put things in perspective
How did you become the boss of your company? Did you build a business from the ground up and hire others? Did you work your way up from the ground level, and progress up the career ladder to get to where you are today? Have you ever known where every answer lies? To answer the last question, probably not. So when an employer comes to you with a question about what variable speed drives your production line needs, or what could be causing a computer crash, it doesn’t matter if you don’t have all the answers. Provided you have hired the right people for each job, you will always have somebody you can turn to for those difficult questions. If you have taken advantage of outsourcing, you can also fill in the skill gaps that are left vacant in your workforce. There are those who can do their job better than you, and that is okay!
And so…
Think about the greatest leaders in world history. They didn’t claim authority in knowing everything. They stood at the top, motivating and encouraging the people who worked for them or who went into battle at their command. And so it is with you. A little knowledge is useful, but know what you need to, and not what you think you should. Otherwise, you will hold yourself back, and each of your employees too. You will rise and fall on the strength of everybody in your company, not whether you have the answer to absolutely everything.
