Become a better manager with part two of 100 Ideas for Great Bosses

Here’s the second installment of 100 Ideas for Great Bosses. I’m sharing 25 a day as a small celebration of the posting of our 100th “What Great Bosses Know” podcast on iTunes U. Enjoy!

100 Ideas for Great Bosses, Part Two (26-50)

26. Build teams, not silos. People in teams work across boundaries, people in silos isolate themselves behind walls.
27. To truly collaborate, find out what makes a great day at work for people who do jobs you don’t do.
28. Conflict isn’t necessarily a war; think of it as perception that people are interfering with each other’s goals. Identify the goals and you’ll move toward solutions.
29. Conflict doesn’t get better if you avoid it. Learn to have tough conversations with strength and sensitivity.
30. Saying you have an “open door” policy doesn’t necessarily mean people feel comfortable stopping in. You need to reach out, too.
31. Well-told stories, with a clear message and strong values, are a valuable leadership tool.
32. Ethics policies and guidelines are important, but never miss an opportunity to embed values in your everyday conversations.
33. Don’t treat everyone alike. Know people well enough to manage them as individuals.
34. Learn something new and scary. Then do it again and again.
35. In times of change, over-communicate. When you’re getting tired of repeating a message, people are just beginning to hear it.
36. The simple act of listening can be a great gift from a boss; people want to feel that they are heard.
37. Purge your conversations of management-speak. Whenever you’re tempted to say “paradigm shift,” try “big change” instead. Your staff will appreciate it.
38. Let there be fun at work, but don’t force it. Let your employees lead the laughter.
39. When employee laughter is directed at you, be a good sport. It’s so much fun to laugh at the boss.
40. Advice to new bosses who are invited to staff social events: Drink less; leave earlier than others. You’ll remember everything you said, and you’ll give people freedom to critique management just like you always did as an employee.
41. Email sent in anger can be a letter bomb. When upset, step away from the keyboard.
42. It is possible to be too nice as a boss. Your staff won’t respect you if you fail to hold underperformers accountable.
43. Everyone likes money, but it’s not the most powerful motivator.
44. The most powerful motivators come from within people: Bosses ignite their sense of competence, autonomy, purpose or growth to fire them up.
45. Mediocrity is a curse; you may be too kind to fire it but you don’t dare promote it. Your job is to eradicate mediocrity.
46. Agendas help meetings. They let introverts prepare their thoughts and keep extroverts on track.
47. Time management is, first and foremost, about setting priorities. After that, it’s about planning the best use of your limited time to meet those priorities.
48. Being self-aware about your strengths and shortcomings isn’t enough. You have to manage yourself so you can lead others.
49. Never underestimate the power of a handwritten note of appreciation.
50. Too many bosses feel they lack the wisdom or words to be inspirational. Give it your best shot. If you don’t, who will?

We’ve hit the halfway mark and will share more over the next two days. Meanwhile, here’s the podcast version of today’s tips:

Tomorrow: Ideas 51-75.