Five Reasons Why Being a Teacher Makes You The BEST Kind of Boss
My boss is the Director of Exam Services. But, before this job, she spent thirty years as a math teacher in Florida. Many people would look at her and wonder how she’d be qualified for such a position given her only background was in the classroom teaching a bunch of teens.
Well, here are five reasons why being a teacher can make you the best kind of boss.
1) You realize some of your employees may learn in a variety of ways.
In addition to the onboarding binder my boss made me – which included visuals and step-by-step screenshots of the software program we are using – she paired me up with an older, more advanced “student” who was hired back in August. My boss realizes the value of a “peer buddy” system – which frees her up to do more of the bigger picture stuff. This also gives me one more person I can turn to when I am confused or need support.
2) You recognize the value in making mistakes.
And when an employee makes a mistake, instead of telling them what they did wrong, you point them in the right direction and give them the opportunity to correct it on their own. When you are able to identify a mistake you make – independently of others – it makes for a better learning experience. And you are likely to never make that mistake again.
3) You appreciate the small wins.
The first time I sent out my first email to the vet students, my boss was over-the-moon excited for me and sent me a bunch of emails with cute dog memes. Positive reinforcement is so crucial to an individual’s success. When someone notices the good things you do, you just want to keep doing the good things. Simple
4) You set boundaries but maintain a nurturing, loving demeanor.
Our department is responsible for reviewing exam questions to ensure that they’re not trying to trick the students but are, in fact, testing the content. (We are trying to send out strong veterinarians into the world. Not good test-takers). So the exams have to go through multiple rounds of review and formatting before they are ready to be administered to the students. This means deadlines and expectations must be met. And when they aren’t, my boss will make it her point to meet with faculty, review expectations, and remind them why it’s important. She loves our faculty and staff and makes sure we know it. But she also makes sure we know what’s expected of us and how we should go about meeting those expectations.
5) You recognize that people are easily incentivized by chocolate and snacks.
My boss has a candy dish of M&Ms and other assorted chocolates laying out on her desk. And, on my first day on the job, she showed me where her secret stash of food was in case I ever got hungry. Typical Mama Bear status. Wanting to feed her cubs.
Questions of the Day:
- What qualities do you think a great boss must possess?
So true!
I’ve also left the classroom but probably more permanently, unless I want to spend my career as a sub.
It’s a great reinforcement to myself that my skills as an educator actually CAN transfer into a new field.
Desiree
Reading with Mrs. D
I can definitely see being a teacher can make you a better boss! I agree that people are definitely easily motivated by food just like kids are! ALL the candy please! 🙂
The qualities a great boss must possess in my opinion is a good communicator, honest and holds themselves accountable. A good boss is a leader and cares about the people.
These are great points, Divya. Especially #1! I will do anything for chocolate and snacks. I hope you are enjoying this new position and also that the school system improves for the sake of the kids.
How fun. I haven’t thought about how being an educator makes you a good boss in the non education world, but it does. I think the learning styles point is the most prominent. Often we forget that adults learn in different ways too. Great post!
I think a great boss is one who WANTS to help you grow and do better, which I believe most teachers possess as well!
This is so true! Chocolate and snacks are truly great motivators!
I never liked a meeting that did not come with snacks.
If you brought snacks – I was all ears!
I can definitely see why being a teacher can make you a better boss. Great post
I guess teachers really do have a good perspective on how employees can learn and be incentivized. These are some great points!
I think these are all true! I also think people with teaching experience can organize people and things well, which is an important skill when you’re a leader!
Your new boss sounds so great! All of your points here are fantastic.
I totally believe this. I’d also add that teachers are unbelievably organized, because of the lesson planning and time allocation they have to deal with. I mean, you seriously know how to cram as much as possible into each and every day AND you are able to plan ahead like no one’s business!
My favorite mistakes are the ones that I learn from, and the teachers who allowed me to use reason to figure things out were always my favorite. That is absolutely an essential life / boss skill to have 🙂
Thanks for sharing this, Divya! XOXO
I am my own boss. In addition, I work part-time as a teacher at the local vocational school. I love my boss there, she is fair and open-minded and able to provide all forms of feedback in a constructive manner.
I had never thought of that, but that makes a lot of sense. Come to think of it, one of my favorite bosses was a former teacher.
These are all great points – and wonderful things to have in a boss!
I love all of these! I feel like the people above me are really great bosses or supervisors or whatever too. I know I can go to them if need be and that’s important for me.
Sounds like you have a great boss! I think it’s really important to be approachable too… especially if one of your team members has stuffed up. You want them to be able to come to you with that knowing you’re not going to flip your lid, and help focus on working with them on how they can solve the problem. The other thing is, making sure all team members are accountable… not just for doing their day to day stuff, but also ensuring wins are acknowledged and celebrated within the team 🙂
As a teacher, I find this so awesome!!! Thank you!! I want to share it 🙂
These are all fantastic qualities to have in a boss! I would also add listening, and listening to listen not listening to respond, as well as patience.
I know that I am easily influenced by chocolate, or jelly beans, or jubejubes. I think having a teacher as a boss can only be a good thing, they are going to be great leaders and help you get to be your best because they are obviously good at that.
Ooooo all lovely qualities for a teacher to have! I can definitely see why they would be great bosses.
Love this post and love that you have such an amazing boss. As an HR Manger my job would be so much easier if my managers manged their employees that way.
Incentives always seem to work to get my kids to do their homework without arguing! HA! Great list compile here.
Even teachers are incentive by snacks and chocolate!!! And I totally agree with Number Three