Be a Better Boss Day

This is not yet another post about The Boss but about the day someone made up to honor them, not him. Apparently, October 16 is something called National Boss’s Day although having been a boss I don’t ever recall being saluted by my staff on this day. Then again, I don’t remember going in and handing my boss a box of chocolates either. But I think I might know why.
I’ve had a lot of managers over my career and that continues since each of my clients is my boss to some extent. I’ve loved some, disliked a couple, and generally liked most. So here are a few things that I looked for in my bosses and what I tried to do for my subordinates.

• Make me better than I am.  This is ultimately why we work (besides the paycheck), to some extent.  Self-actualization.  My best bosses pushed me, let me fail, and made me learn.
• Give clear, actionable direction.  Ever wonder why stuff is wrong?  Maybe the folks doing it weren’t told what was needed, maybe you told them things that conflicted with one another, and maybe you didn’t foster an environment where they could come in and tell you how screwed up your instructions were.
• Be reasonable.  People do need vacations.  They do have families.  Research takes time.  Reasonable doesn’t mean “push-over” but demanding work that will take a week in 24 hours gets you angry employees and a sloppy job.
• Keep your perspective and help me keep mine.  Work is what we do, it’s not who we are.
• Watch my back.  Keep me in the loop and I’ll do the same for you.  Most information bubbles up, not down.
• Most importantly, listen.

There, now that’s not so hard, is it?  Let me know if your boss makes the cut and wish him or her a happy day in any event.  The good ones will laugh; the bad ones will appreciate the brown nose.