I have a co-worker who just finished a big project. She was bouncing off the walls with giddiness. She took the project to her boss and it was confirmed. She did a fantastic job. She came back to her cubicle with a huge smile on her face.
“I feel like my stress just floated away,” Alice said.
“Cool, so she liked it,” I said.
“Liked it? She loved it!”
She was on cloud nine for the rest of the afternoon. She poked fun at me, herself, and anyone talking to her. Just her playful style. Her energy couldn’t be suppressed.
Her boss does have a lot of faults, but who among us doesn’t? None of this mattered because her boss applied a golden rule…
“Make employees feel cool.”
I must admit that her boss has a talent for this. She can make a person feel special at just the right time.
Alice was nervous before she presented the project and her happiness was dependent on her boss. Her boss could feel this and responded appropriately.
When a boss watches for what an employee needs, they can respond aptly. Hey, sometimes they need a kick in the butt and other times they need a “You are awesome!” The more a boss is in tune with his/her employees, the more likely it is that they will encourage brilliant work.
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When you get a handle on your habits that's when life supports your needs. I read Zen Habits to teach me these tools.
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"When a boss watches for what an employee needs, they can respond aptly. Hey, sometimes they need a kick in the butt and other times they need a “You are awesome!” The more a boss is in tune with his/her employees, the more likely it is that they will encourage brilliant work."
Amen to that my friend. Now if just a more of bosses would practice this it would be fantastic. Sadly I don't see this often. Keep up the great work Karl!
Very true.
Bosses are only bosses, and not leaders, until they learn how to coach their employees effectively.
Hi Karl,
This is something we know - because we like to feel "cool". Yet, it's easy also to forget in daily life. Yet your point is well taken - done correctly, at just the right times, this is a very effective tool to keep employees "working happy". And it has me thinking, now, of how well I do at this. Honestly, I know I can do better..and I'm going to work on that!
Sounds like there's a boss who knows how to be one! The smart boss knows when and how to make an employee feel cool and the same goes for employees to their bosses.
Hi Karl
I agree about feeling good. I find that often these good feelings are somewhat stiffled by all of the "how to improve" feedback. Sometimes the boss needs to tap into the emotions and stick with the positive for a while.
Juliet
Great write up.
I'm a fan of make others great and make others feel great.
Thanks to everyone who commented. We can make each other feel special with a little awareness. We just need to watch how people are reacting and help them along with whatever they are struggling with.