Startup Watch: Five ways to be great boss

The world is becoming flatter - in the sense of what was originally envisaged by Tom Friedman and Nandani Nilekani. But in the startup ecosystem, it is even more so. Leadership styles have changed. Hierarchies through exist are more lenient and the word 'boss' has eased up a bit. In many cases bosses are friends and office spaces a social gathering. But when it's time to deliver numbers and bottomline, there is need for leadership. Here are some ideas on how to be a good yet solid boss with some real time experiences by women entrepreneurs who have built teams and deliver everyday.

Do not keep pushing hierarchy in their face

A boss need not remind their employees of this position every now and then. When authority is shoved at faces all the time, it becomes a stressful environment. Tanushree Hazarika, from Assam-based Eclectic Group that invests in media says leaders should work towards "developing a work culture where there is enough comfort for one to one dialogues to happen, giving space to creativity, encouraging decision-making and team spirit behaviour."

Don't hesitate in praising

This will go a long way! Nobody likes to be shouted at, all the time. While it is important to let people know their mistakes, it is even more important to pat their shoulders when they have achieve a target or a goal. "The reason you have a team is because you as an individual cannot fill all the gaps yourself. So everyone in the team brings the best of their skills to the table. If you respect that, you're on your way to being an effective leader," shares Kirti Jayakumar of Red Elephant.

Treat them as humans

They are not tools who come to work place to do tasks. They are just as human as you and respecting that makes a difference. Do not shout orders at them but instead communicate instructions properly so they do not feel they are mistreated.