My college-age son started his first full-time management job the other day. He’ll be spending his summer as the Aquatic Facilities Manager at the local country club, where he’ll oversee a staff of 12 lifeguards and the operations of the facility.
As he prepared to head off to work for his first day, I wanted to impart some sage advice. And I wanted to leave him with something I knew he would use.
Here is what I shared…
This is an exciting day for you, one you will remember for a long time. This is also an exciting day for the people you manage. They, too, will remember this day for a very long time. More than anyone they encounter or anything else that happens today, you will have a role in how they remember this day.
Because you’re the boss.
They will be watching you to see how you react to the situations you encounter. They will be listening to what you say, even when you’re talking with someone else. They will be looking at your facial expressions, to get a sense for how you think things are going. And they will care what you think.
Because you’re the boss.
If you take nothing else away from this, remember to smile. Just smile. And smile often. Let them know you care about them and the people you are there to serve. No matter what happens. Show them you trust in their abilities and you value their contributions…however large or small they might be.
Because you’re the boss.
When he came home from work, I asked him how his first day had gone. A big smile crossed his face…
Photography Source: US Air Force
