What Type of Boss Are You?

Starting a small business presents a multitude of challenges that can stretch your natural abilities past your comfort zone, but no challenge is greater for most entrepreneurs than being a boss. You may have originally decided to go into business for yourself so that you didn't have to work for "the man" any more. You wanted the freedom to develop your own style and make your own decisions. That's why finding yourself becoming "the man" can create so many challenges.

If your employees had to describe your management style, what do you think they would say? Would they rate you as a good boss to work for or someone more akin to Ebenezer Scrooge? Understanding your management style can help you be a more effective leader in your company. See if you recognize yourself in the following archetypes:

The Control Freak: These bosses like to be involved in every last detail of their business. They do not trust their employees to make reasoned and informed judgments on their own and all decision-making is done by the boss. Although this behaviour usually stems from a desire to ensure accuracy and productivity, it frequently results in just the opposite. One person cannot juggle so many responsibilities without something falling through the cracks. Employees of this type of boss feel disconnected from their work and give up on taking ownership and being proactive. This feeds into this boss's contention that the only person that could possibly care about the company is the boss.

The "Warm Fuzzies" Boss: These bosses are concerned about people's feelings over all else. They will withhold constructive criticism and can end up praising bad behaviour in the hopes of making their employees feel valued. Employees of this type of boss can feel disoriented and unsure of their place in the company. They can sense when praise is undeserved and therefore the praise has no motivating effect.