We Can Learn From One Another

On September 15, we celebrate National Online Learning Day. A day when we recognize and celebrate the benefits of online learning. So, in order to contribute to this ongoing learning, we have decided to give you some tips on what you can learn from your boss, and vice-versa! We can learn from one another- anywhere, anytime:

Think like your boss

Has your boss ever given you tasks that you thought you wouldn’t be able to do, where you catch yourself in restless nights because of the pure pressure from that particular task? Have you ever thought about why your boss assigned you to that task? That’s because your boss sees something in you that you might not see in yourself. In most cases, they want to train you to be independent, self-motivated, and take pride in your work. Our bosses are usually older or, at the very least, have vast experience in the field, knowing what it means to make mistakes and grow from every lesson they learn. In other words, they’ve been where you are! Follow your boss closely. You might learn how to think like them and eventually develop your own style. Be confident in your abilities and the path you’re going through!

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.” – Dr. Seuss

Listen more

A good leader will never try to talk over people and always listens to new ideas. Have you seen in meetings how effective their style is and how people react to them? That’s because they learned how to listen more and only make comments when they had something significant to say. Mindful listening helps you better connect and understand what everyone is expecting from you. We can learn from our boss that active listening is sometimes more effective than talking. We know more when we listen!

“Effective listening is more important than talking if you want to be truly influential when you communicate.” – Work Smarter Stress Less

Be curious

Your boss will always ask questions. Not just on your performance or the task at hand but also on ways to improve the company positively. Being curious is essential for excelling at any job because you ask questions, learn from others, and look for ways to better your performance in your role. Sometimes we are too proud to ask questions, but in the end, it’s the answer to your question that will lead you onto a successful path. 

“It makes it easier to deal with difficult situations because curiosity is like a smile. It’s hard to feel anxious when you’re doing it!” – Brian Sowards, Enterprise Account Executive at The Muse

Some people might see their boss as a perfect human being, they are in charge for a reason, but we should never forget that perfection doesn’t exist. Bosses can also make mistakes. Here are some lessons that your boss might be able to learn from you:

Different Perspectives Are Inspirational

Whenever a new employee joins an organization, the company has the opportunity for growth. Often, employees will have fresh, original ideas for the company. As a boss, it’s natural to feel responsible for generating all the ideas for a business. However, employees can bring a fresh outlook. Usually, an employee will be somewhat younger than their boss, and because they’re younger, they’re more up to date with trends and what’s new and current. A boss can learn about new technology and trends from their employees.

“When working in the business field, I am always looking to find new ways to complete tasks. I have realized that employees are the best sources of inspiration because they don’t think like you, yet they have to deal with the same problems.” – AJMAL SALEEM from Suprex Learning

Disagreements Are Never a Bad Thing

Employees should feel encouraged to give feedback to their boss as it can be challenging for leaders to evaluate themselves and know where to improve. Getting feedback from employees can help employers to be more effective managers of their people. Leaders can learn from their employees that different points of view are never a bad thing, and even though they are the boss, perfection only exists in a fairy tale with a picnic basket, meaning there is always room to build on.

“An employee should never be afraid to disagree with their boss. Time and again, I’ve found myself impressed by the insights offered by my staff; insights which were they afraid to voice dissenting opinions I’d never have heard. Disagreements can be a healthy thing and can actually help your business grow.” – STEVEN BUCHWALD Startup Lawyer and Founder of Buchwald & Associates

Trust and Delegation Are Important

Every boss is proud of their company and what they have accomplished. Some leaders might struggle to fully trust an employee in specific tasks, even though the boss knows in the back of their mind that the employee is capable of doing it. Good leaders strike a balance between giving employees room to breathe and breaking the rule. Great employees can teach their bosses to let go and trust in their ability to get things done. 

Letting go and trusting the team to succeed can redirect the boss’s focus on more critical tasks to complete.

“I am a natural at trusting, but when delegating, sometimes it is hard to allow another to do things their way. I have learned to trust the abilities of my team and know that though it might not be done my way, there is a multitude of ways to do it things well.” – JESSICA BAKER Founder and CEO of Aligned Signs

Thank you for reading this article. We hope you found this learning blog useful! Are you going to celebrate National Online Learning Day? Let us know in the comments. Don’t forget to share the blog entry, and if you want to become a Virtual Assistant at Job Duck, please click HERE to apply to one of our career growth opportunities.