Business Tip of the Day: 16 Secrets to Be a Great Boss

“David, our key employee Sarah just came to us with another offer she got from one of our key competitors, what should we do?” If you’ve ever been in this situation where you’re threatened with the loss of a key team member, you’ve experienced the pit in your stomach and the awful fear that spirals through your body.

Business tip of the day: Over the past decade of working with our business coaching clients, we’ve learned one very important lesson – the time to focus on retaining your key team members isn’t after they’ve been approached by a sexy suitor, but rather years before they ever get approached.

Here are our top 16 secrets to being a great boss, one of your key first defenses to retaining your top team members.

I’ve written out this tip from the perspective of your employees (hint: a great boss regularly sees the world through the eyes of their staff).

A great boss…

  1. Really listens to me. Values my input and hears me out, even if we don’t always agree.
  2. Delegates new assignments and the authority to oversee them. Shares interesting projects and empowers me to work independently.
  3. Fully explains projects. Provides clear direction and answers questions as they come up.
  4. Cares about my development and growth as an employee. Encourages learning and helps me grow.
  5. Encourages me to take risks and grow. Acts as a mentor, supports me, and celebrates milestones.
  6. Respects me. Treats me with courtesy and owns up to their own mistakes.
  7. Gives me credit for my work. Recognizes my contributions, even publicly.
  8. Creates a positive work environment. Promotes teamwork and addresses toxic behavior.
  9. Knows their job. Competent and someone I can learn from.
  10. Supports my actions and decisions. Has my back when needed.
  11. Asks for and listens to my input. Keeps me informed and shows my ideas matter.
  12. Treats employees fairly. Consistent, impartial, and fair.
  13. Gives me specific, timely, constructive feedback. Coaches me to improve and succeed.
  14. Inspires me. Leads with integrity and motivates through high standards and trust.
  15. Enforces policies equitably. Uses good judgment and fairness.
  16. Appreciates my efforts. Offers meaningful praise, small gestures, and personal touches like a dinner gift after a big push.

I hope you enjoyed our business tip of the day!