Everyone wants to be loved. It's a survival instinct. The more people who love you, and the fewer who hate you, the better the chance that you'll live a long life uninterrupted by attacks on your character and person.
But leaders, such as transportation directors and other managers, aren't in their positions to be loved. They're in their positions to get a job done as efficiently and safely as possible. If they happen to be liked, or loved, by their employees, that's a bonus, but it's not the primary objective, is it?
So, why do I bring this up? I've been thinking about how managers in pupil transportation can improve their leadership skills. The best leaders have a strong ability to inspire and motivate. Some accomplish these objectives by winning over followers with their charisma. An example of this type of leader in the business world is Jack Welch, former CEO of General Electric. But another former business superstar, ex-Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina, also had a charismatic style. She had a less-than-successful reign at H-P, however, because her ego clouded her judgment.
Good leaders are confident and make sound decisions. They also have the respect of their employees and understand how to motivate them properly. In addition, they learn from their mistakes and adjust their behavior accordingly. If they have a charismatic personality, that can work in their favor, assuming they don't let their egos get in the way.
There are many ways to get a job done. From what I've seen in pupil transportation, the best leaders are well grounded. They understand the day-to-day pressures that are felt by their staff in the office, in the garage and on the road. Empathy is a critical attribute when you're supervising people who work under this type of pressure. You've got to make their problems your problems, or risk losing their confidence and support.
Finding that right balance between being someone's boss and being his or her friend is essential, but extremely difficult. I'd like to hear your thoughts on this subject, from the perspective of being a supervisor or the supervised.
Until next time.
