Chapter 2 – Do You Have What It Takes? page 9.
“Most people work just hard enough not to get fired and get paid just enough money not to quit.” – George Carlin
- You can react in one of two ways to comedian George Carlin’s joke:
- Not-so-great bosses will laugh and nod their heads, accepting the words as status quo. These bosses are found saying things like:
- “Good people are hard to find.”
- “I don’t pass out many compliments, because when I do they expect a raise.”
- “Why invest in training when they’ll leave us in a heartbeat for more money.”
- By contrast, great bosses see beyond the intended humor and realize the problem isn’t with the people, it’s with the not-so-good bosses who lead those people.
- In this chapter, we ask you to evaluate whether you’re truly up for the challenge of being a great boss. We will explain that to fill that role, you must:
- Get it
- “Get it is aptitude; the natural ability for something. An intuitive feel or grasp of what the job is, how it works, and how to do it. Natural feel: biochemistry.” – Ken Robinson, The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything
- Want it
- Sincerely desire the role.
- Have the Capacity to do it.
- Possess the emotional, intellectual, physical, and time capacity to do the job.
- The first two assets -“get it” and “want it” are essential for becoming a great boss. No one can help you “get it” or want it.”
- The third asset – “capacity to do it”-can be acquired if you are willing to invest the time and effort to excel in the role.
- The bosses that don’t get it, want it, or have the capacity to do it are often the root cause of their company’s organizational dysfunction and poor performance.
- These bosses:
- Drive their best employees and customers away.
- Feel threatened by people who are smart, capable, and motivated.
- Run from conflict.
- Are unwilling to confront real issues.
- Are uncomfortable making unpopular decisions.
- Are quick to point out the flaws of others.
- Ignore their own flaws and weaknesses.
Understanding “Get It”
- For a normal seat in the organization, “Getting It” means you have a thorough grasp of the role, the organization’s systems, pace, and culture, and the ins and outs of the job.
- To be a great boss, you must honestly ask yourself if you truly get it – that you thoroughly grasp the job (of being a boss).
- “Get It” Questions:
- Are your actions as a boss showing others that you truly get it?
- Do you use the same approach to motivate every employee?
- Do you have a deeper understanding and appreciation of each employee as a unique individual?
- Do you have that instinctive feel for rallying everyone according to the way they work best?
- How would your employees describe you to their friends or fellow workers?
Understanding “Want It”
- Next, you must ask yourself if you truly want it – that you genuinely desire the job of being a great boss.
- Even when people receive great training and have great mentors, those things likely will not stick unless the really “want it.”
- It’s gratifying to work with people who truly want it and are willing to put in the effort necessary to achieve it.
- “Want It” Questions:
- Do you have the fire in your belly for the trials and tribulations of being a great boss?
- Do your actions show others that you truly want it?
- Are you willing to go the extra mile to get a project completed on time, or do you leave work early regardless of how it affects your team or customers?
- How would your employees describe your “want it” to friends or fellow workers?
Both “Getting It” And “Wanting It”
- Many bosses don’t get it or want it – yet both are crucial.
- You could absolutely “get” the role of being a great boss but just not “want it” or vice versa.
- In either scenario, you’ll never be a great boss.
- Assuming you that you “get it” and “want it, the next question is, “Do you have the capacity to do it?”
Understanding “Capacity To Do It”
- While not getting it or wanting it are deal breakers, some problems of capacity can be solved.
- If you lack any of the following aspects of capacity but are willing to invest the time, resources, and energy to gain them, you can become a great boss.
- Question: Do you have the emotional, intellectual, physical, and time capacity to be a great boss?
- Emotional Capacity
- The heart to feel what others are feeling.
- The ability to walk a mile in their shoes.
- To be open and honest with yourself and others.
- A willingness to be real and connect with others.
- To be both humble and confident.
- To be self-aware enough to know how you are influencing people.
- Intellectual Capacity
- The ability to solve complex problems and think critically.
- The ability to predict, prioritize, and plan.
- The ability to conceptualize, strategize, and systemize the best way to do things while orchestrating human resources.
- The ability to hold two opposing ideas in the mind at the same time, and still retain the ability to function.
- Physical Capacity
- The stamina, energy, and tenacity to do what it takes to finish what you start.
- The ability to “pour it on” when necessary.
- The willingness to devote the time and effort to master your craft.
- To do the work, and to get your hands dirty when necessary.
- Time Capacity
- The self-discipline to use your time effectively.
- To avoid the tyranny of urgency.
- To structure, prioritize, organize, and delegate in a way that frees up and optimizes the most precious resource of all – your time.
In conclusion…
- If, after reading this chapter, you realize that you don’t get it, want it, or have the capacity to fill the role of boss, do yourself a favor and step down.
- Do something that truly inspires you!
- Life is too short to spend it doing something that makes you miserable and leaves you feeling unfulfilled and continuously frustrated.
