What qualities and skills does the ideal boss have?

[lindya]

Whether your job requires you to be a boss, a subordinate or both, I'd be interested in hearing people's views. Ta

[ReluctantRomeo]

The ideal boss takes the time to "train and explain" to her subordinates... then lets them get on with the job with a minimum of interference.

 

But this requires a good knowledge of the subject, people skills and good time management. So the majority of bosses prefer to under-train/explain and make up for it later by micromanagement and firefighting.

 

On rare occasions, a boss goes to the opposite extreme. Overtrains his employees so that the machine almost works without him, allowing him ample time to surf LS. The only micromanagement he does then is with other peoples' relationships. Interrupted by the occasional request to sign a payment order

[Devildog]

The best definition I have heard for how a leader should be:

 

"Someone who takes more than their share of the blame and less than their share of the credit."

 

I have only had one supervisor that ever truly had my respect. She made sure she took care of her people and stood up for them. And she knew her job as well as the people's who worked for her. Most other supervisors I have seen were more concerned with covering their own butts or having their butts kissed.

[lindya]

Two responses that I can definitely relate to.

 

The best bosses I've had are the ones who pick up on any quirky work methods I have. The ones who are imaginative and flexible enough to identify when my methods work well, and when I would be better doing things in the traditional way.

 

I think the worst possible boss is the slippery eel who, as you say Devildog, is primarily concerned with covering his/her own butt. No matter how polite I try to be towards that type, whenever I talk to them I feel as if "I think you're an slimey git and I don't trust you an inch!" is written on my forehead in big bold letters

[Marshbear]

I best bosses I 've had are the ones that realize I know my job and trust me enough to do it. They do not have to know the technical aspects of my job as long as they know who to contact when I need help. People skills are a must and being able to rally and excite your workers is highly desirable.

I guess the bottom line for me is to leave me the heck alone and let me do my job but also be there if I do need help from him.

 

 

 

Peace...

[ReluctantRomeo]

Originally posted by lindya

I think the worst possible boss is the slippery eel who, as you say Devildog, is primarily concerned with covering his/her own butt. No matter how polite I try to be towards that type, whenever I talk to them I feel as if "I think you're an slimey git and I don't trust you an inch!" is written on my forehead in big bold letters

 

Word.

[moimeme]

The best bosses I 've had are the ones that realize I know my job and trust me enough to do it

 

AMEN to that! And a pox on the twits who still buy into all the old-fashioned attitudes like that all employees are out to cheat you if they possibly can and so you have to be breathing down their necks all the time. And, sadly, there are still too many of them - many are part of that bunch that got hired right out of high school in the 70s and never did figure out how to manage humans.

[laRubiaBonita]

a good boss gives respect to subordinates and does not act holier than though, a good boss recognizes that with out his subordinates....he would be nothing, and also thanks them for all they do.

[quankanne]

though he can get grumpy sometimes, I love my editor. He trusts our judgement, shares helpful ideas or information when we need it, has got an incredible sense of humor. Best of all, no one can get to me or the other reporter without going through him first -- he went as far as telling a couple of the priests we've had run-ins with that if they've got a problem with us, then they need to discuss it with HIM first, and HE will talk to us afterward; it's not their place to yell or gripe at us. He is the first boss I've had that has ever had that kind of attitude, so of course, we'd walk through fire for him.

[Syncerity]

my ideal boss would be someone of liency..preferably a male their more easy going, women tend to be too serious...not saying u should be a clown in the bizz, but at least have a sense of humor, and making work fun for the employees, because an employee that loves their jobs, will be xcited to come everday, and make money for them and for you..also ideal boss takes time to get to know their employees and gives appraisals, even if it is to say hey your doing a good job on that fry machine...also a boss that looks into all areas of a problem, and listens to ideals and doesnt get fed up at you when you are in training,but take personal time out to make sure you know what to do and whats going on,etc

[lindya]

Here's a good humoured boss for you, Syncerity

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/theoffice/characters/profile_david.shtml

[Syncerity]

Originally posted by lindya

Here's a good humoured boss for you, Syncerity

Good lookin out lindya

[Horse]

A good boss would only have to do the exact opposite of what my current boss does.

 

He micromanages

Nobody trusts him because he tries to cheat everyone

He won't confront anyone, he just lets problems grow until they explode

His moods are incredibly unpredictable and half the time seem faked.

He tries to pay his employees as little as possible.

His vision or the direction that he is taking the company changes every week.

 

So a good boss.

 

- Gives their employees the tools that they need to get the job done and gets out of their way.

- Instills trust and respect by setting an example of good business and personal ethics.

- Is not afraid to confront problems before they get out of control, but does so in a respectgul way.

- Is stable and dependable.

- Pays their employees a more than the going rate, so that they can retain the best employees.

- Recognizes and rewards hard work/excellence.

- Has a consistent and effective vision for the company, or department.

 

My last boss did all of the right things. He sold his company for tens of millions. My current boss is reading the management books backward and running his business into the ground.

[Zephyr45]

I good manager:

 

- Does not try to fix weaknesses, but focuses on the strengths/talents of their subordinates.

- Knows that people watch every move they make.

- Treats everyone as individuals.

- Is aware that people don't leave companies, they leave managers.

 

A few points semi-shamelessly taken from what I learned in the book "First, Break All The Rules".

[amerikajin]

Qualities of a good boss (in no particular order):

 

Integrity: he doesn't engage in dishonesty or pressure others to do the same.

 

Reliable: he can be counted on to do what he says; be where he says he's going to be, when he says he's going to be there.

 

Leads by example: his lunch break is no longer than yours - there may be some exceptions, but as a general rule he plays be the same rules. He doesn't criticize your tardiness while excusing his.

 

Accountability: accepts responsibility for the success and failures on his watch - doesn't go around blaming others for his problems. Understands that his responsibility extends well beyond merely the confines of his office.

 

Good communicator: makes it clear what he expects from subordinates.

 

Fairness: not afraid to make a judgment about someone, but judges people according to circumstances and gives people a chance to learn from their mistakes, provided the mistakes don't jeopardize the long-term health of the company.

 

Supports staff to the extent possible: given time, he will give staff the latitude and tools necessary to succeed in their job.

 

Even tempered: not afraid to confront people for poor performance, but doesn't subject his subordinates to outbursts of anger.

 

Well-organized: has a system in place for time-management, filing etc. so that he doesn't piss away a lot of time. Knows what to delegate, and to whom.

 

Good judge of talent: aside from the obvious character issues, this is often a make-or-break characteristic for a lot of managers. You have to know how to hire the right help. Hiring the wrong help can be a disaster; hiring the right help can take your company to the next level. I can tell you from experience that finding good help is harder than it looks.