So You Want to Be a Boss?

Job satisfaction is one of the major factors that enhances the productivity of an organization. According to studies, employees who are satisfied in their jobs tend to perform better than those who aren't.

Author and industrial psychologist Linda Gravett notes that employees must answer five questions when determining job satisfaction. One of these questions is, "Does my boss care about me as a person?"

A survey by the Saratoga Institute stated that the most significant factor that kept employees in their jobs was the relationship with their direct supervisors. Employees want their bosses to know their strengths, interests, aspirations and potential.

Understanding what is important to a boss is not easy to determine. According to blogger C. S. Kishore, bosses rely on intuition, trust, information, forecasts, plans and people to get the job done. Help your boss succeed through respect and by supporting his views.

Seek to have a boss become your mentor. You must realize that bosses also have pressures and stressful situations. Fundraising professionals must learn the boss's style of management, plus likes and dislikes. You must think in terms of counterbalancing your boss by anticipating actions and reactions.

Through a consistent level of performance over time, you will gain the confidence of your boss. Remember, you were hired as the expert in your field of expertise. Continually show your value to your direct report, and you may eventually fill his role.

Whether you end up in the penthouse or the outhouse depends on personal success, timing, being in the right place at the right time and good luck. Treat people as you would like to be treated. Your success depends on that of others.

So you want to be a boss — be a servant leader first!