6 Tips On How to Be the Boss Without Being Bossy

“Being a good boss means hiring talented people and then getting out of their way.” -Tina Fey

How to stop being bossy might not be something most managers actively think about, but it can make a huge difference in team morale and performance. Most of us have had a boss we didn’t exactly get along with — maybe they were always late but quick to criticize, or they micromanaged every task no matter how long you’d been with the company. Great bosses are rare, almost like workplace unicorns. One of the most common traits of bad leadership is bossiness — talking at employees instead of with them, barking orders, and shutting down input. This kind of behavior hurts culture and drives good people away, which gets expensive fast. The truth is, many "bad bosses" aren’t trying to be difficult. They’re often unaware of how their approach is affecting their team. The good news? Being a better boss isn’t just about being liked — it can actually improve productivity and boost your bottom line. Happier employees do better work. Here’s how to make that happen.

Embrace the team mentality.

Often, bosses become bossy because they view their role as above, or more important than, their team members. To counteract this mindset, it can help bosses to remember that the company is a team, and everyone is working together to reach a common goal.

Practice gratitude.

It’s amazing how powerful a simple “thank you” can be. Many companies spend thousands of dollars on employee holiday gifts, which often can feel forced and hollow. Make sure to acknowledge when an employee has done well with a “thank you,” “well done,” or “bravo.” It’s free and far more impactful.

Step back.

Many times, bosses do not know how to let their employees take the wheel. They don’t like to give up control and fear something may go wrong if they relinquish essential duties. However, this constant control only leads to a burned-out boss and stagnant employees. Train your employees well and stand back while they do their job. If they make a mistake, they will learn from it and do better the next time.

Leave the door open.

Effective communication between employees and bosses can lead to a reduction in stress. Have an open-door policy to encourage employees to bring their challenges and issues directly to you when they happen. This allows for fires to be put out before they spread. Additionally, an open-door policy allows for the workplace to feel more collaborative rather than authoritarian.

Delegate authority.

Bad bosses give out tasks to their workers while effective bosses give out authority instead. Hire the right people and empower them to make decisions without you there. It saves you time, builds confidence, and creates a feeling of trust in the workplace. Plus, when you hire the best talent any anxiety about passing the torch should fade away.

Look inward.

A great boss needs humility. Acknowledge that you, too, are human and have weaknesses. Acting like you know it all makes employees feel intimidated and less likely to relate to you. Instead, be transparent about the fact that you aren’t great at small talk or struggle with articulating yourself via email. The more your employees know about you, the better.

Bad bosses are all too common in the workplace. In fact, 1 in 5 people dislikes their boss. That’s 20% of the workforce. While the reason for this discontentment varies, more often than not there is a lack of trust, recognition, and respect between employees and their superiors. Bossiness in particular, is a surefire way to drive away good employees. Firing out orders like a drill sergeant is not going to encourage employees to be happy and productive. There are several ways to combat bossiness like:

• Embracing a team mentality
• Showing appreciation towards direct reports
• Eliminating micromanagement
• Having an open-door communication policy
• Delegating authority
• Practicing humility

Each of these 6 tips can help transform the relationship between employee and boss leading to a happier, more productive workplace. Steve Jobs said it best ... “It doesn't make sense to hire smart people and then tell them what to do; we hire smart people so they can tell us what to do.” ― Steve Jobs,

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