It's Not All About Fun

A recent article released by Harvard Business Review gives five tips on how leaders build trust with their teams really caught my eye and I want to discuss my feelings on the article. The first tip that is discussed is to be humble; not charismatic. Right off the bat they talk about one of the biggest flaws of leaders in my own opinion. Yes, charisma is a useful tool to have and can make you stand out of the crowd, however too much can lead to a person being self-centered or full of themselves which makes for an unattractive characteristic. Which takes us into the next tip which is to be steady and dependable. The way I see it is that someone who is humble and less unpredictable is also more likely to be more reliable and accountable. When handling power of others it is extremely important to exercise caution and be sure you are taking the right steps. Once you mess up the job, your reputation will be hurt.

This next tip is a very important one as it deals with modesty. Like the article says everyone wants to work in a relaxed and laid back environment, but that is not always the best environment for productivity. In the workplace there always needs to be an authoritative figure around in order to keep people on pace with their work. There is a fine line between being a good boss and being a fun boss. The fourth step talks about balancing analysis with action is important to being a good leader as it tells us about knowing when to think on a decision or when to make a quick call even if sacrificing the initial bottom line. However, the fifth step about being vigilant is very important to being "the fun boss" or not. The initial six months in a leadership role are crucial and it is important that you don't spend this time trying to impress your group. Spending too much time during this period can create negative tendencies that will affect your efficiency and success. A good way to handle this is to stay focused on your work, but keep vigilant of your surroundings while always accepting feedback.

If you can master these then your odds of being a successful leader will be increased and remember that it is alright be have some fun at work, but being a responsible leader comes first.