The Best Boss I Never Had

If you're like me, you've had quite a few bosses over the years. Some were good, some were bad, some were great, and some you'd rather forget. So what makes a great boss? Now I'm completely aware that the challenges I've faced with my bosses over the years say at least as much about me as it does about them. That being said, let's take a look at the hypothetical best boss I never had.

The best boss I never had is extremely loyal to the team.
The best boss I never had takes complete responsibility for the performance of the team.
The best boss I never had is on top of all the details.
The best boss I never had is technologically sharp.
The best boss I never had does not gossip.
The best boss I never had treats every member of the team fairly.
The best boss I never had acknowledges their mistakes.
The best boss I never had has accurate metrics on the teams' performance.
The best boss I never had is more concerned with supporting the team than covering their *$#%.
The best boss I never had knows how to motivate the team.
The best boss I never had leads by example.
The best boss I never had makes a change when change is needed.
The best boss I never had rarely fights fires.
The best boss I never had understands that team members vary in their ability, interests, and motivation.
The best boss I never had doesn't try to be everyone's friend.
The best boss I never had has realistic performance expectations.
The best boss I never had acknowledges in public when team members have done excellent work.
The best boss I never had works with team members in private when they have done less than excellent work.
The best boss I never had does not shout, raise their voice, or blow a gasket. If they do they apologize immediately.
The best boss I never had develops each member of the team.
The best boss I never had is enthusiastic and congratulatory when team members leave for better opportunities.
The best boss I never had is generous, is responsible, and operates from integrity.

So, have you ever had a boss like that? Would you like to?

Tags: best, boss, develop, generous, had, integrity, loyal, never, responsible, team

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Comment by Marcia Tiemeyer on June 1, 2010 at 12:05pm: Of course I would like a boss like that, and I also believe in Fairy tales and they lived happily ever after.

Comment by H. Virginia Ramirez on June 1, 2010 at 2:53pm: I have always said that a good boss can make up for the other cr*p you have to deal with! I have had bosses at bad companies that inspired and motivated me...and I have had bosses at wonderful companies that I wouldn't follow across the street! True leadership retains good employees!

Comment by Ulrike Ott on June 1, 2010 at 10:12pm: It is like the winning lottery numbers I believe...but hey...I had that luck once with such a phenominal boss....why not another time

Comment by Simon Meth on June 2, 2010 at 12:10am: Hey Marcia, it's possible isn't it?

Comment by Simon Meth on June 2, 2010 at 12:10am: You got it Virg. Leadership is key.

Comment by Simon Meth on June 2, 2010 at 12:12am: Why not indeed Ulrike? I wonder how many of my old bosses will read this blog and wonder if I'm talking about them? Maybe my current boss will read it?