Chapter 1 – Being a Great Boss, page 1.
“If we treat people as they ought to be, we help them become what they are capable of becoming.” – Goethe
- The word “boss” comes from the Dutch word “baas,” originally a term of respect used to address a person in charge.
- EOS’s definition of “Boss” goes as follows: someone in charge, who leads and manages people.
- In this book, you will discover how to:
- Effectively delegate work and free yourself up to lead and manage.
- Assess your team and surround yourself with great people.
- Apply the five leadership practices and five management practices of all great bosses.
- Communicate powerfully with each of your employees.
- Deal with employees that don’t meet your expectations.
- This book is for you if:
- You are a leader, manager, or supervisor of people in a privately held, 10 to 250-person entrepreneurial company, or…
- You want to get the most out of your people and seek a simple, effective, and impactful way to become a great boss.
- WARNING: This book is also written to help the “not-so-good bosses” get out of the way – to help them acknowledge that they lack the understanding, desire, and capacity to develop the skills that will make them great.
State of the American Workforce
- 2000 Gallup Annual Survey
- Only 31.5% of American workers are “engaged” in their jobs.
- These are the employees who show up early, leave late, come up with creative solutions, attract and retain customers, and bring energy to the workplace.
- Unfortunately, 17.5% of American workers are “actively disengaged” at work.
- This group likely works for a boss that makes them miserable, and as a result, they spread discontent throughout the organization.
- Sadly, the remaining 51% of American workers are “not engaged” at work.
- These employees meet the minimum requirements, but they don’t view their jobs as a major component of their daily lives.
- Only 31.5% of American workers are “engaged” in their jobs.
- Gallup CEO, Jim Clifton, states that the single most important decision that business owners make is deciding whom to hire or promote to management positions.
- 2015 Harris Poll
- 39% of employees have no idea of their company’s goals and objectives.
- 47% are unfamiliar with the state of their company’s performance.
- 44% don’t understand how the role they play helps the organization meet its goals.
- If everyone were actively engaged at work, what could you achieve?
- The first, and most important step, in this journey is acknowledging and taking responsibility for your role in poor employee performance and engagement.
- You cannot expect to hit your goals when half your team is sitting on the bench – and 17.5% are actually heckling you.
