Do you have a Great Boss?

Posted by Paym Bergson Mar 15, 2007

I've had my share (and probably have been my share) of great bosses. I know the difference, and I know the difference that can make on the productivity of a department or company.

The best bosses are those that are willing to listen (respect for you) and try to understand both the bad AND the good (support as well as non-judgemental). These bosses make you feel safe - so you can actually do your work without worrying if your performance review will not be up to par.

I've been lucky - I've been able to get away from "bad bosses" - by pointing out how the situation, if applied to business practice, can actually help them. And the good ones have always helped me learn more about myself.

My most favourite boss was way back when - my first "real" 9-5 (yeah, right!) office job. He was an Engineer, and I was the Marketing/Research Writer/Technical Writer for a small PC company that grew. I grew with the company (I mean in position and responsibility). He became part of the Management Team in a merger, one that was ready to let me go. He handed me the new company structure: a list of who was staying, and their positions; but could not offer me anything. BUT he did give me that list and told me if I could find myself a position, he'd sell the Team on it. I was very depressed and disappointed, to say the least. I'd be out of a job, and I had purchased a co-op apartment (pre-condo days) with a loan, which of course had to be paid.

I could have just given up - but as I left that day he reminded me of his promise. So, once home I really went through the list... and realized they had forgotten to include Middle Management - someone as an Administrator between the head Management Team (as they called it) and the rest of the company workers as well as the other companies involved. Someone who could communicate on all levels, to all levels.

Of course, my proposal was accepted and expanded - the team of three was grateful for my input and finding a hole in their new structure that would have delayed their success.

That Engineer supported me and understood me, but even more - he encouraged me - to always find an agreeable solution to all parties involved.

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Copyright March 15, 2007. Paym Bergson and Suite 101. All rights reserved. Any unauthorized use of this material will constitute an infringement of copyright.