A coach not a principal: How to be a Better Boss

The formality in the workplace hinders a supportive environment that helps teams and companies achieve success. Principals treat everything like a report card, pink slip or detention, and rehearsed full school assemblies. Everything is by the book and everyone, even staff, fears being "sent to the principal's office". This method is unhealthy if applied to a work environment. If your boss thinks he is entitled to his/her respect, they are acting like a principal. Instead, coaches are much more effective. If your boss cheers for you, trains you, and wants to see you (and subsequently him/herself) succeed they are acting like a coach. Can you still achieve the results if you use a flexible coach approach to being a boss? YES!

1. Play your own game
• Just as a soccer coach can't play the game for you, your boss cannot do your work for you either. You need to put the effort in the see results. You don't learn from watching your boss play the game but a coach is there to apply his expertise to your technique. Everyone doesn't kick the ball the exact same way but it still makes it into the goal and coaches know that. Principals expect you to learn it "my way or the highway" if you want to fit in.
2. Watch for cues
• A conductor (coach) cannot make each instrument play the right notes at the right time. The best he/she can do is direct you when, where and what to play. If you miss the cue, you are at fault and it means you might need to practice on your own more than what is expected to make the grade. Principals would simply replace you because upholding the reputation is more important than giving you a second chance.
3. Be a player on the team
• Coaches know that a game cannot be won with one good player, it is a collective. Coaches will pair you with others that have different strengths and weaknesses than you. You might not be the star that makes the winning score but your efforts assisted and a coach knows that. Principals only care about results and do not see the people behind it whether one or many.

Sports analogies are strong in the workplace. Do you have examples of when your boss has acted like a coach hyping you up for a "big game" or "big deadline"? Or is your boss angry when you don't use the corporate PowerPoint template and acting like a principal?