8-12-2013
It seems like every workplace has that one boss ? the one who either brings out the best in his or her employees, or who seems to be the source of every boss joke ever told. There is the one boss against whom all oth?ers are measured, good or bad. When we tell the stories in the lunchroom, boardrooms, or bathrooms, they always begin the same way: ?There was a boss I had who?.?and the storyteller describes an incident that portrays that memorable boss in either a flattering or an extremely negative light. After many years in business, these telling characteristics of good and bad bosses have either been relayed to me, or I?ve experienced them firsthand.
GOOD BOSS
? A good boss takes you aside and teaches you how to do something you don?t know.
? A good boss tells you when you?re doing a great job, and sometimes puts it in writing.
? A good boss takes you to a client meeting so you can learn, grow, and get ahead.
? A good boss gives you the tools to grow in your career.
? A good boss spends time teaching you new techniques in order to make you more valuable.
? A good boss buys dinner.
? A good boss buys you a birthday gift.
? A good boss enjoys the simple things in life.
? A good boss gives time to the needy.
? A good boss praises those around him.
? A good boss is rarely late; he respects your time.
? A good boss brags about his co-workers.
? A good boss creates a positive work environment.
? A good boss leads by example.
? A good boss writes a thank you note.
? A good boss wants you to advance and be prepared to take his job.
BAD BOSS
? A bad boss takes you to his exclusive country club to explain why you can?t have a raise.
? A bad boss points out your mistake, preferably in front of everyone.
? A bad boss makes sure you only meet the client so you can take the blame for a mistake.
? A bad boss makes sure you can?t grow so they don?t have take the time to replace you.
? A bad boss doesn?t know any new techniques and finds reasons not to implement any he hears about.
? A bad boss collects money for the check.
? A bad boss tells you what they want for their birthday.
? A bad boss enjoys telling you how his life is better than yours.
? A bad boss is the neediest person you know.
? A bad boss praises himself.
? A bad boss doesn?t care if he?s late, because his time is worth more than yours.
? A bad boss brags about himself.
? A bad boss makes the workplace as tension-filled as possible.
? A bad boss is an example of what not to be.
? A bad boss expects to be thanked.
? A bad boss holds you
If you want to be acknowledged as a mentor who challenged, encouraged, and made a lasting impression on employees, then follow the fundamentals of the Good Boss column. And if you want to spend your time being avoided in the hallways, eating lunch alone, and watching your peers and underlings use the stairs or take the eleva?tor from a different floor in an attempt to get out of the building without having to see you, just continue to adopt the characteristics found in the Bad Boss column.
If you think you might be a bad boss, you can change. You can allow us to admire your skills, rave about your work ethic, and emulate your leadership. The choice is yours. And, as your employees, we beg you to let us praise your management style and want to be just like you.
Lisa Miller is president of Miller Broadcast Management in Chicago and can be reached at lisa@millerbroadcast.com or 312-454-1111.
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