How to Be a Great Boss

by Team Tradify, October 28, 2024

Being a great boss comes with a lot of responsibility. Your employees rely on you to look after their well-being — from paying fair wages to creating a positive working environment that supports their mental, physical, and financial health. Apprentices, full-time staff, contractors, and administrative support — every team member deserves you to bring your A-game to the role. Wondering how to be a great boss? Create a work environment that is profitable, safe, and rewarding for everyone involved.

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Clear communication
Building a positive workplace culture
Ongoing training
Strong problem-solving skills
Empathy
A focus on health and safety
Adaptability and innovation

1. Clear communication

It's hard to get things done if your staff don't know what to do! Mixed messages, late replies, vague assumptions, unclear instructions, and lack of follow-ups can cause mistakes and frustration. Using job management software like Tradify means that every team member, onsite or in the office, can access important information and track project progress in real-time.

Open and honest communication with staff is essential for any great boss. A respectful approach helps create an environment where employees feel comfortable sharing suggestions, admitting mistakes, proposing improvements, and asking for advice. No matter the job, there are going to be times when a boss needs to have a difficult conversation. However, when a boss communicates job requirements clearly—from big-picture goals like areas for improvement to small details like who misplaced the drill—while remaining calm and caring, they help build trust and mutual respect across the team.

To grow a successful trade business, a great boss needs to ensure that team members feel comfortable sharing their ideas, concerns, and feedback. Regular team meetings or toolbox talks create a space for everyone to stay on the same page regarding project updates, safety protocols, and daily tasks.

Make sure your team is prepared for the day with a free Toolbox Talk Template PDF!

2. Building a positive workplace culture

It's hard to stay motivated if you feel no one notices or cares when you go the extra mile at work. A great trade business boss treats every team member with respect, regardless of their role or experience level. An easy way to show your respect for the value your team brings is by recognising achievements — whether it's completing a big project, hitting a safety milestone, or pointing out someone's hard work.

Another way to build a great workplace culture is by encouraging your team to take care of themselves. Regular opportunities to stretch and rest, flexible hours when possible, ensuring manageable workloads, and encouraging time off when needed mean that your team stay motivated and healthy.

Work's a lot easier when you enjoy the company of those around you. Not everyone needs to be best friends, but a great boss recognises the value of knowing their team outside of their roles. The most tried and true way to build a positive workplace culture is to give the team chances to connect off the tools. This can be as simple as time in the morning to catch up, team lunches or time outside of work to grab a meal or a few drinks.

Want more ideas? Check out our blog: Party Ideas for Tradies & Tradie Lunch Ideas

3. Ongoing training

It can be pretty frustrating when an employee gets something wrong, especially when it impacts business. However, part of being a great boss is learning how to give constructive feedback. Addressing weaknesses in a supportive way gives employees a chance to grow. Doing so without ruining someone's day means that they'll be more motivated to learn — and less likely to hide mistakes in the future.

There's always more to learn! A great boss ensures that both themselves and their team members push to explore the latest tools, techniques, and safety protocols. Encouraging growth and offering opportunities to further the team's skills not only improves the quality of your business's work but also shows employees that the company values their growth.

4. Strong problem-solving skills

Stuff happens. A great boss can think on their feet, make decisions, and communicate those decisions clearly to the team to keep projects on track. They anticipate potential issues, adapt quickly to changes, and provide guidance that keeps the team productive, even in challenging situations. With tools like Tradify’s job management app, bosses can streamline assignments, track progress, and handle unexpected challenges.

5. Empathy

Every team member has unique strengths, weaknesses, and personal situations. A great boss takes the time to understand these differences and adjusts their leadership style accordingly, whether it’s offering extra support for an apprentice or giving seasoned staff more autonomy.

Want more help? Check out our blog: Empathetic Leadership in the Trades.

6. A focus on health and safety

Safety is critical in trade industries, and a great boss prioritises it above all else. They ensure that safety protocols are followed, conduct regular safety drills, and make sure everyone has the necessary safety gear.

Check your workplace is aware of the hazards with a H&S Checklist!

A healthy workplace isn’t just physical. A great trade boss is also aware of the mental health challenges that can come with the job, such as stress or burnout. Giving people the chance to communicate and encouraging time off when needed can make all the difference.

7. Adaptability and innovation

Still using pen and paper? With new tools, materials, and techniques constantly emerging, it can be hard to distinguish between passing fads and genuine game-changers for your business. Staying open to change and adopting new methods is essential, even if those changes seem daunting at first.

As the no.1 rated job management system, Tradify is used by thousands of tradespeople to build better lives and businesses. It gives you all the features needed to manage and grow a successful electrical business, including: