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onetime2 · 11-21-2003, 05:36 AM

You've covered a lot of the bases already. A couple of primary things are missing though. You may do them already but don't have them listed.

Professional development (Both your own and your people's): Helping people to achieve what they want to achieve (if appropriate for them) or pointing them in the direction which you feel (or know) they will be most successful are big pluses for any boss. Communicating with employees and giving them an idea of the areas they need to work on in order to get to where they want is another trait that not only improves the odds for the employee but makes the company stronger as well.

By developing yourself professionally, being aware of the happenings around the company, and communicating them to your people, you increase the overall understanding of the company's direction and can position your people to have the best chances for new or soon to be opened roles & responsibilities.

Motivation. Motivating employees is another key area. Each person has different motives for being at work. Each also needs something different to be challenged and feel that they are contributing. By being aware of these facts and understanding the personalities and motivations of the people you supervisor, you automatically jump to among the best managers in the company/world.

I like that you make a point of backing your people. That is something that really pisses me off about some managers. I was recently stuck in the middle of a reorganization where I had little power in the situation. The Director of my previous department knew this was going to occur and did nothing to position her employees appropriately. Other directors positioned their people by getting them new titles, new responsibilities, and making connections for them with the new leadership. Mine did none of that. Her MO is always to sit back and protect her own position in the organization. She never comes down firmly on one side or another in any meeting until it's obvious which side will "win". She then makes her opinion known as being one in general agreement with the losing side but stands behind the winning side as being the "best" route. I'd have to put her in the "bad boss" category.

As far as best bosses, I've had a few. I've been fortunate to have worked directly for some incredible businessmen. One is an absolute genius when it comes to economics. I learned more from him than anyone else in the world. He is intellectually superior to probably 99.9% of people. But what sets him apart from the other .1% is his recognition of his superiority without any ego. e communicates so well, it's scary.

11-21-2003, 05:36 AM	#12 (permalink)
onetime2 Junkie Location: NJ	You've covered a lot of the bases already. A couple of primary things are missing though. You may do them already but don't have them listed. Professional development (Both your own and your people's): Helping people to achieve what they want to achieve (if appropriate for them) or pointing them in the direction which you feel (or know) they will be most successful are big pluses for any boss. Communicating with employees and giving them an idea of the areas they need to work on in order to get to where they want is another trait that not only improves the odds for the employee but makes the company stronger as well. By developing yourself professionally, being aware of the happenings around the company, and communicating them to your people, you increase the overall understanding of the company's direction and can position your people to have the best chances for new or soon to be opened roles & responsibilities. Motivation. Motivating employees is another key area. Each person has different motives for being at work. Each also needs something different to be challenged and feel that they are contributing. By being aware of these facts and understanding the personalities and motivations of the people you supervisor, you automatically jump to among the best managers in the company/world. I like that you make a point of backing your people. That is something that really pisses me off about some managers. I was recently stuck in the middle of a reorganization where I had little power in the situation. The Director of my previous department knew this was going to occur and did nothing to position her employees appropriately. Other directors positioned their people by getting them new titles, new responsibilities, and making connections for them with the new leadership. Mine did none of that. Her MO is always to sit back and protect her own position in the organization. She never comes down firmly on one side or another in any meeting until it's obvious which side will "win". She then makes her opinion known as being one in general agreement with the losing side but stands behind the winning side as being the "best" route. I'd have to put her in the "bad boss" category. As far as best bosses, I've had a few. I've been fortunate to have worked directly for some incredible businessmen. One is an absolute genius when it comes to economics. I learned more from him than anyone else in the world. He is intellectually superior to probably 99.9% of people. But what sets him apart from the other .1% is his recognition of his superiority without any ego. e communicates so well, it's scary. __________________ Strive to be more curious than ignorant.