Are you a great boss?
Do you have a great boss?
A recent Icehouse survey asked what opportunities our business community see on the horizon for 2025. Responses included: expanding markets, increasing production, leveraging AI, infrastructure, tourism and the opportunity to improve team dynamics. Of these, it’s interesting to dive into the opportunities that business owners can actually control. While a drop in interest rates both domestic and international will boost confidence this year, it’s out of our control. Improving team dynamics on the other hand is within our grasp - although not always straight forward in today’s world where many managers grew up without the internet, but their team may have had smart phones in their teens.
Different generations prefer different leadership styles – what energizes one person might sap the life from another! Research shows that the way a Gen X’er (1965-1980) works best is to be goal oriented and with clear hierarchy while a Gen Z’er (1997-2012) is tech-centric and thrives on flexible settings.
Some people prefer solo tasks, other prefer collaboration. Some need daily check-ins, others find it a massive distraction.
The answer lies in getting to know your team individually. Ask them how they work best.
Icehouse leadership specialist Kim Hill says it’s much easier to motivate people if you know what makes them tick. For example, working overtime might not be the motivator for one person instead they may want to feel like they are being involved in something bigger – the hours don’t matter to them.
“Ask yourself, how can you bring the best out of every member of your team?”
Kim recalls a recent conversation with a business owner considering requests from the team to implement a four-day working week.
“The business tested the scenario around a shorter working week to see if the team would lift productivity – if they were motivated by a four-day week then surely productivity and efficiencies would lift? The assumption was correct, and it’s seen the best come out of that team with KPIs being reached in four days.”
Kim notes a great boss is authentic, they have the ability to show empathy and they appreciate the complexity of human beings.
Checking in with your team on an individual basis can make a massive difference, Kim adds.
“If you notice a team member being late, try shifting your thinking to finding out what’s going on for that person rather than feeling annoyed. Just lately I’ve noticed stress levels are on the rise in workplaces. A combination of interest rate rises and a feeling of being overwhelmed isn’t helping so showing some empathy can go a long way to getting positive vibes back in the workplace.
Learn how to have courageous conversations, be an active listener and follow the 8 second rule of being present. Silence is powerful, particularly when people in your team might be high conflict. Pause is the most critical button to have in your leadership toolbox.”
The Icehouse Leadership Development Programme has transformed the management skills of thousands of New Zealand business leaders. We have leadership programmes to match every career level. Email us at grow@theicehouse.co.nz with “leadership programme” in the subject line.
