7 tips to be a better boss
By Dairy Herd staff  |  Monday, November 16, 2009

The No. 1 reason people leave jobs is poor supervisory behavior — in other words, bad bosses. 

One reason is that bosses often have poor communication skills. Human-resource experts say people are too often promoted for their workplace accomplishments without any assessment of their communication skills, reports a recent Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin Managers Memo.

To be an effective boss, and have employees want to stay rather than leave, you might want to try these seven basic communication tips:

1. Be a better listener.
2. Make time for employees.
3. Get the word out to those affected by any change as efficiently as possible.
4. Put out a consistent message about your values so employees know who you are and what you stand for and can, therefore, make better decisions on their own.
5. Give regular feedback before an annual evaluation.
6. Speak effectively before employee groups and communicate effectively when you e-mail.
7. Discuss delicate matters in person, not via e-mails. Most conflicts must be settled in person, or at least by phone.