When Your Boss is a Rock Star

Employees in corporate offices and cubicles all across America have probably all watched “The Office,” and laughed, cried, and daydreamed about the kind of boss they wish they really had.  Someone a little crazy.  Someone a tad off-color, but well meaning and generally supportive.  Maybe he doesn’t have all the answers, all of the time.  He might not even really understand you.  But the kinds of qualities that most people agree make a good boss are more than just those things.  Here are a few of the things employees value most in a boss:

He Works:  some bosses don’t really spend much time working on the mission of the company.  Most of their role involves supervision and reporting, and they don’t spend much time in the office.  This can make them seem “out of touch” with employees.  The best bosses, while not necessarily looming directly over everyone all the time, keep themselves busy and take on some of the work that keeps a company running from day to day.  This evokes a sense of respect from employees, and inspires them to work hard, too.

He Plays:  a good boss knows that it can’t always be “work work work” — even at work.  He or she will occasionally do something to stir up a bit of a distraction or cause random acts of fun to happen.  It provides a welcomed break for people around the office, and builds camaraderie.  It also shows that a boss is human, too, and enjoys a break and a few laughs now and then.

He Cares:  compassion is the most cited quality in a good boss.  A person who has some sympathy with employees, who makes an effort to understand their circumstances (or, “where they’re coming from”) is most likely to be admired and respected by not only his employees, but also his professional peers.

He Respects Employees as Professionals:  sure, the boss may not love everything about you — but that isn’t necessary.  What matters the most is that he respects his employees as professionals in their field and treats them accordingly.  These people were hired for a reason.  Hopefully, not nepotism — but even then, there are redeeming qualities in everyone, and a good boss is skilled at identifying those and bringing out the best in everyone.

He Wants to Keep People Employed:  in this fallen economy, the jobs market has devolved from a sunny summer landscape to a gray, post-apocalyptic nightmare.  Downsizing is a very real threat that is sometimes the only solution, and everyone knows this — but a good boss makes the preservation of his team’s jobs a huge priority.  He might seem harsh sometimes, trying to get things done faster and more efficiently — but he wants to save your job, and that’s why.

He Knows What You Do for a Living:  an understanding of everyone’s role in the company and the unique contributions they all make to keeping things running is an exceptional quality in any boss.  It also gives him an insider’s edge as to what motivates each person and what the flow of productivity within the corporation is.  This boss will soon understand whose work depends on who else’s, and can better help smooth out rough spots for everyone, thanks to his keen observations and suggestions.

Next week:  When Your Employees are Rock Stars