Mistakes You Should Never Make When You’re in Charge

In the world of business there are employees and there are bosses. It doesn’t matter which one you are right now, you might be the other at any point in your life. However, if you have your sights set on the CEO’s chair you need to know that there is a fine line between being a good boss and being bossy. Here are a few things you need to keep in mind if you have employees reporting to you and you’re in charge.

Don’t Expect Employees to Condone Your Bad Behavior

If your wife is a lovely woman or the you-know-what from hell, it doesn’t matter; if you are seeing someone behind her back and don’t want her to find out, don’t expect your employees to keep your secret (or just be a human being and don’t cheat, okay?). Asking your employees to write up an apology note to send to your mom with flowers because you forgot her birthday or to help you figure out how to evade a few tax laws is not okay. Don’t do it.

Don’t Expect Too Much

Okay, this one is not what it seems. As the boss you have every right to expect nothing less than the best from your employees. However, you can’t expect one person to do the job of five. If your assistant is scheduling your appointments, getting your coffee, picking up your dry cleaning, acting as  the bookkeeper, your babysitter, and your special events planner it’s time to hire someone else. No one should have to be the entire office.

Keep Your Personal Life Personal

Your employees will listen to you ramble on about your deadbeat ex for eight hours a day if you want to talk about it. However, they shouldn’t have to listen to that. They are only doing it because they’re afraid you will fire them. You pay these people to do a job, not to be your friends. Remember that.