Isn’t it strange how common it is to have worked for a lousy boss at some point in our lives? There are many ways that managers and bosses can be downright bad. And frankly, it stinks! Some of us are bosses ourselves, while others have a boss. So, obviously, none of us is alone in wondering what separates the good from the bad.
A truly good leader does not believe that he/she can do it all alone. Great bosses understand the importance of the team around them and how each person’s role contributes to the overall puzzle. These wonderful bosses work with their team and as a team member. They take extra steps and are always ready and willing. There are real warning signs of a bad boss.
Awful bosses do not think or act the way that good bosses do. You should also report a bad boss to your supervisor. And on top of this, their junky behavior drizzles down to the rest of the team. This results in less productivity and a negative environment. Which none of us want at our company, right? Follow these simple rules to drive your team in the right direction.
Have a Good Effect on the Team
If the boss positively affects their team, then we all know it will leave a more positive light on everyone involved, and we should also be aware of the negative characteristics of a bad boss. For example, everyone should do their part and, if possible, extend a helping hand to others. Refrain from taking credit for someone else’s work. It is just not cool…at all.
Gain Trust
You definitely want to gain the trust of employees, not to destroy their trust. Some of the ways you can ruin relationships and lose the trust of others: Lack of communication, not rewarding employees for a job well done, lying (is a biggie), and gossiping (no bueno, don’t do it). Lead by example. The more the team trusts their leader, the more they will strive to reach their full potential. Open your ears and help them to build confidence along the way.
Respond to the Needs of Others
Take some time to see what motivates each person. Try to tailor your communication to each person according to what motivates them. If a boss does not communicate with employees, that is bad management behavior, and as a result, he or she will never know how to approach people, which in time will sink the entire organization.
Communicating with employees is where it all begins. Bad bosses fail to clearly explain expectations and often disregard the concerns of their team members. Find the time to build UP your team. It is well worth it. You will begin to see more confidence all around you, and people who are actually happy to work. Be a good boss, not a bad boss
Are you one of the bad bosses?
I think we can all agree that being a boss is one of the most trying and laborious jobs out there (or at least it should be if you are doing it right!), but more often than not, people placed in a boss role feel unsettled and without direction themselves. It is, by all means, a tough gig. If you don’t want to be a bad boss, then you must understand what a good boss is! I thought I would break it down for you.
Don’t Assume Everyone Gets It
Understand that just because you understand your own directions doesn’t entitle others to the same privilege. In order to improve how you communicate your messaging of tasks and directives, you must work steadfastly to improve the generality of that understanding.
Know How It is All Done
Know how to do all things. Obviously, a significant portion of your role depends on your ability to manage others effectively. However, a good leader will know how to accomplish tasks when others either can’t or are unsure of how to do so. Being able to perform departmental tasks exudes leadership and earns the respect of others.
Blend Boss And Friend Roles
Blend the “friend” and “boss” roles together with a delicate touch. You obviously don’t want to turn into the prison captain from Cool Hand Luke, but you don’t want to end up BFF’s, as the cool kids like to say, either. Try being a nice person and being polite when giving directives. Ask employees how their weekends were without being too personal; keep the conversation general. If your company is supportive of happy hour gatherings, the balance can get hazy, but most importantly, ensure you remain mostly business as usual without being overly stuffy.
Show Some Emotion
Don’t be afraid to show a little emotion. Passion is a good thing; obviously, straight-up crying would be a bad thing. Knowing the difference is huge. Without some emotion and passion, one becomes too robotic and loses the interpersonal advantages that come with being a leader. You are human, so be human.
Look for Opportunity
Try to see opportunity amidst the chaos. No matter how great a company is, there will always be circumstances that upend it, whether that’s changes in the trade space or otherwise; things happen. When they do, be ready to set an example of optimism and leadership. Look for opportunities to capitalize on downturns, rebuild trust, and demonstrate leadership.
Outsource Your Payroll: Save Time And Money
Many businesses opt to handle their payroll operations in-house, rather than outsourcing them. They typically handle bookkeeping manually or use a payroll system or software. Many small businesses opt to hire professional payroll services. When small businesses outsource their payroll functions, they can focus on operations that directly impact their business, both currently and in the future. Here is what payroll outsourcing is all about.
Why do so many businesses, especially small businesses, decide to outsource their payroll? What are the benefits?
Save Money
Can you imagine how much money you can save when you no longer have to do the following:
- Generate and sign all of the paychecks
- Print all of the paychecks/pay stubs
- Distribute all of the checks
- Get ready for payroll taxes
You No Longer Have to Waste Time
Regardless of the number of employees you have in your small business, managing payroll can be a daunting task. Someone needs to make a significant effort and spend considerable time ensuring every detail is accurate.
After one pay period has ended, the next pay period will follow immediately. You must check twice or three times to ensure that no errors have been made. Not writing out a bunch of checks frees up time for your other daily tasks. When you outsource your payroll, you will no longer have to think about the time you have wasted on the complicated payroll duties.
As we all know, when you can save time, you can save money. All of the above tasks require a significant amount of time and money. When you can eliminate the time it takes to do all of those tasks, you will save money that can go towards other business operations.
Did you enjoy this article?
You can learn more about how to save money and time on accounts payable vs payroll and other payment services by following our other great posts. Or, if you want to learn how the team at Checkissuing can help your small business outsource payroll or other payment needs, just contact us
We have a friendly staff that is here during business hours, five days a week, who would be glad to go over your situation and develop a custom strategy that best fits your business
Resources
https://www.yourtango.com/2017305244/20-motivational-quotes-people-horrible-bosses-and-crappy-jobs
https://www.insperity.com/blog/traits-of-great-bosses/
Last updated: October 2025