Why it matters Your success and influence as boss depends on correctly reading those with whom you interact most frequently and intensely. Because your leadership style reverberates throughout the organization, ultimately it will bolster or undermine company performance and culture. What you should do about it The first and most important task is to convince others that you are in charge, otherwise your job will be impossible and your tenure short. Second, boost your subordinates’ performance by “watching their backs”: making it possible for them to learn, take intelligent risks, and feel pride and dignity along the way.