Whether you’ve started your own company or hired to run someone else’s, being the boss is exciting. After all, it’s a statement that you have the ability and confidence to be the last word on all things.
No matter where you are in your career, there is a satisfying sense of accomplishment. And no one tells you what to do…sort of. So it might be surprising as you settle into the role and discover all is not as you expected.
Here are some surprising things about being the boss:
You do have bosses
Of course, on paper, there’s not one senior to you. But if you have a board, you’ll have to answer to them regularly. And even if technically you don’t have to follow their advice, you will feel some pressure.
And if you have big, important clients — and they know how much they matter to you — they can dictate a lot just because it’s too risky to disagree.
You don’t make all the rules
Sure, being the boss means that you can decide deadlines for reports and set maximum travel spending. However, no one can escape the requirements from the law, local licensing agencies, or accounting practices. You will regularly find that a lawyer or government agency will overrule your plans if it violates the rules.
You’ll question everything
Ok, not everything. But it is lonely at the top, in part because you have no one to keep you in check (who wants to be the one to tell the boss that they’re wrong?). But also, you will find yourself questioning the motives of people who work for you. Are they giving you useful information or information that serves their purposes?
Managing office politics will be more challenging than ever. You will have to find a way to live in the uncertainty — that’s one of the conditions of being the boss.
You will have a tough boss because
you are your boss. You will continually critique yourself, assess the right decisions and bad, wonder which strategy is more reliable. And it’s improbable that you will ever give yourself more than a B-.
That’s not all bad, you are also your most prominent motivational coach, and you’ll need to keep yourself pushing to the next goal. But it also risks constantly feeling not quite good enough.
Still, being the boss could be the most fantastic job ever.
Being the last word on everything can be exhilarating
And more than just a cheap rush, it can feel empowering and freeing to answer to (almost) no one. And if you have the confidence, ambition, and discipline, you could be responsible for building something great. Be sure to give it the boss’ approval.
Thank You,
Offpich
Visit: www.offpich.com
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