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Jo Ellen knows what works with employees and what makes the leader's job more difficult than it has to be. She also understands that busy leaders need a quick, easy-to-read leadership resource to enhance their effectiveness and lead them to success. A Dog’s Advice to Leaders is just such a resource.

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Are You a Good Boss?

February 10th, 2010 • Related • Filed Under

This article from CNN Careers (which came to me via Twitter) describes what lots of people think makes a good boss. Not surprisingly, some of the most valued qualities show up as actions:

  • Showing respect
  • Being available for consultation
  • Offering constructive criticism (in a kind way)
  • Making suggestions
  • Being flexible
  • Keeping employees informed

Being available for consultation is an interesting one for me. I’ve had bosses who would be gone for two weeks at a time — and would then fly into the office, call a meeting, and dump information for two hours — information without context and understanding on the part of the employees. I’ve also had bosses who micromanaged — looking over my shoulder and criticizing the smallest actions. Neither of these is a good model.

The best model is to be available, if not always, then at least regularly; if not in person, then at least by phone or e-mail. Time for employees should be a priority, set aside, sacrosanct. It should not be something to do when nothing else is keeping you busy.

One-on-one sessions are a good way to do this. And I’ll have to say, as much as I’ve complained about my current boss, she’s good at this. She has the meetings once a week, and she rarely cancels. The meeting is usually informative and includes good suggestions for moving forward.

If you don’t hold one-on-ones with each of your employees on a regular basis, perhaps instituting such a practice would be a good idea.

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