First Person Public Relations and National Bosses Day…they just go together…don’t they?

Do you want a managerial position, or are you currently a boss? If so, how would your employees evaluate you? While most of us have had great bosses, we have probably experienced bosses who “need work” and a new approach.

1st Person PR discussed the “Are you a good boss?” question in a previous post, based on an article by Rex W. Huppke, author of the Chicago Tribune’s “I Just Work Here” column. Well, fast forward, and Huppke recently wrote another article about “The breakdown on bad-boss behavior.” Thus, while showing our appreciation of good bosses on National Bosses Day, October 16, we can also encourage self-reflection in other bosses.

Before offering the qualities of a good boss, let’s look at some characteristics that seem to bother employees the most.

Four Types of Bad Bosses
In discussing “The breakdown of bad boss behavior,” Huppke focuses on four categories.
• “The Never-Praise” Boss. This boss is so busy that he or she seems not to have the time to say, “Hey, nice job on that project,” or “Thanks for staying late last night,” or just a simple acknowledgement of gratitude.
• “Insultus Maximum, Corrector of the Obvious” Boss. If an employee makes a mistake, the boss should, of course, point it out and offer feedback. But don’t “rub it in” or publicly embarrass the employee. If the mistake continues, “deal with it through a straightforward, private conversation.”
• “How-Ya-Doin’? Buh-Bye” Boss. Bosses don’t have to “hang out and chat” with others if they’re not comfortable with it or have to focus on their responsibilities. However, Huppke notes, when bosses don’t connect in some way with their employees, they are “viewed as aloof. That keeps the boss isolated, which means he or she could be missing key signs of workplace problems.”
• “Emotional Camo-Boss.” Huppke says “this is the boss whose emotions are virtually unreadable.” Maybe you presented an idea or complained about an issue. Yes, bosses have to be careful about how they respond, but “being cautious is one thing. Workers can respect that. But being stone-faced is a problem…workers want to know where they stand.” You can do it tactfully, but respond…honestly and straightforwardly.
You can read the whole article at: http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-09-10/business/ct-biz-0910-work-advice-huppke-20120910_1_bad-boss-workplace-advice-columnist-big-mistake

What Makes a Good Boss?
If you’re a good boss, then your employees definitely appreciate these qualities.

In his article for Inc. Magazine, Jeff Haden discusses “The 5 Qualities of Remarkable Bosses.”
• Develop every employee.
• Deal with problems immediately.
• Rescue your worst employee.
• Save others, not yourself.
• Always remember where you came from.
Haden elaborates on these qualities at: http://www.inc.com/jeff-haden/the-5-qualities-of-remarkable-bosses.html

For more insights and tips:
How to be a Good Boss:
http://www.wikihow.com/Be-a-Good-Boss

How to be a Good Manager? Qualities of a Perfect Boss
http://anamikas.hubpages.com/hub/How-to-be-a-Good-Boss-Manager-Qualities

What makes a good boss?
By Jeff Wuorio
Written for Microsoft Business for Small & Midsize Companies
http://www.microsoft.com/business/en-us/resources/management/leadership-training/what-makes-a-good-boss.aspx?fbid=fAYUNgCP7rv

“In honor of National Bosses Day, we praise people who are superior at being superiors,” an article that Chicago Tribune columnist, Mary Schmich, wrote.
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2010-10-15/news/ct-met-schmich-1015-20101015_1_national-bosses-day-brilliant-boss-bad-news

As we evaluate our bosses, remember that it’s not easy being a good (or bad) boss.

Tags: bosses, management

This entry was posted on Monday, October 15th, 2012 at 7:12 am and is filed under Categorized, Communicating, First Person PR -- Perspectives, First Person PR -- Yours. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.