How To Serve, Sell, And Earn Like A Boss

This is an article “How To Serve, Sell, And Earn Like A Boss” by Marc Primo

Not every leader’s destiny ends in greatness. Depending on which style of leadership they practice, only a select few develop the skills needed to inspire the people around them to sell more and earn better. One key aspect of successful business ventures that some bosses fail to practice is the concept of service. When initial wins inflate egos with hot air, even the most brilliant minds degenerate and assume a dictatorial mindset. Once a leader fails to value service towards consumers and employees, things could take a downward spiral in no time.

Some bosses we know from Silicon Valley, for example, have their own set of quirks that not all their employees can handle. Even if a few leaders achieve success despite unfair practices, their dubious actions might later do a 180º turn and bite them where it hurts most. One page is not enough to list down bosses who have fallen from grace, simply because they prioritized vanity over service.

Of course, it is not that easy to remain humble, especially when you start claiming win after win. However, the true epitome of a leader is measured in how well they serve their customers and subordinates, how effectively they sell their products and services, and how much they can earn for the company.

Let's review some tried and tested concepts that successful and respectable bosses understand and apply in the workplace:

Positioning defines your character

Positioning has always been an essential aspect of a business. Its context revolves around how you deal with the competition or how you want audiences to perceive your brand. In practice, as a leader, what matters is how you position your role in the company. Much like how you would want to set your product apart from competitors on the market, it would also be wise to define yourself as a particular type of leader to your subordinates. Do you simply dish out a torrent of commands, or are you an effective influencer?

Most entrepreneurs take positioning as a means to answer all their customers' questions and help them decide that the product or service being offered is precisely what they need. Being a leader also means that you should be ready to address the most pressing questions among your colleagues by demonstrating which aspects of the business can flourish through your expertise. There's no point in trying to solve a problem in a field that you are clueless in, so focus on the things you can solve and always offer to help whenever you can.

Continue developing leadership skills

One possible reason behind last year's Great Resignation that resonates among many of today's employees is a horrible boss. In fact, 82% consider quitting their jobs because they can't take how their superiors treat them. Half of all professionals surveyed in one study by staffing agency Robert Half already did just that— even before the Great Resignation happened.

It really is no wonder, therefore, that over 4.5 million US workers walked out of the office in November 2021, leaving many companies scrambling for new talent. These current figures only mean that efficient leadership is one of the most critical factors when retaining a cohesive workforce and trimming a company's churn rate.

If you have started with less effective management skills in your current position, try undergoing leadership and coaching seminars on becoming an efficient boss. Learning that your authority is born from inspiring and motivating others is a crucial step toward developing other leadership skills.

Developing the patience and skills to encourage your subordinates to take a proactive role in your business fosters productivity. However, this doesn't mean that you shouldn't manage them and leave things to their discretion.

Serving by inspiring

Serving by inspiring like a true boss means doing away with micro-managing tactics. Instead, simply show your employees that you care about their welfare and are ready to listen to their ideas. Don't be among the 41% of leaders who get carried away with their thirst for power. Instead, focus on your three main roles: team leader, decision-maker, and coach.

Avoid asking for unnecessary updates regularly, delegate efficiently, and give some of your employees roles where they can practice their decision-making skills. Remember, one of the essential things you have to do to inspire others is to set an example that they can follow and explain the merits of their contribution. While you're at it, be liberal when giving pats on the back for jobs well done.

Know your place on the team

Knowing your place on the team starts with understanding each of your team members in terms of their strengths and weaknesses. In every company, hierarchical distinctions are in place, but communication breakdowns might be around the corner without the necessary cohesion among your team members.

You can establish better relationships with your subordinates by openly sharing your vision of perfect service with them. Once they see your drive and passion, these virtues can be infectious and motivate them to provide the support you need.

Always keep yourself abreast of current trends, industry regulations, and company updates so that you can further develop your team's expertise. Sharing vital information without compromising what is confidential establishes your role in upper management, while remaining transparent with your employees.

Know when it's time to be the boss

Lastly, serving your subordinates and how you want them to help you gives you the proper leverage to establish two-way communications, free of doubt and hesitation. Being clear about your vision of serving your customers or selling your products and services aligns everyone with looking for efficient solutions that can lead to more conversions.

However, as a leader, you will often be the first to know important or confidential information about the business. Cascading these to the right employees requires knowing the 'who' and 'why', without having those who are left out of the loop questioning your decisions. These instances are when being clear about hierarchies and efficiently managing your subordinates truly matter.

Consider treating your employees like valuable customers that you need to reach on a much deeper level, while keeping things on a need-to-know basis. And never completely leave them in the dark; always show them the respect and attention they deserve whenever they approach you. They will reciprocate this with the motivation to follow your lead, and by applying the lessons you taught them when it matters the most.

Regardless of which leadership role you take, make it a point to foster profound and substantial connections, while drawing a line between personal and professional matters to ensure that the flow of your operations always runs smoothly.