(Published October 12, 2009)
I was shopping for birthday cards the other day and noticed that a section of cards had been devoted to National Boss Day, which is celebrated on October 16 every year. That got me thinking: What makes a great boss, one that employees want to praise and acknowledge?
Fun fact: The lady who registered National Boss Day as a holiday with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in 1958 selected October 16 as the day of celebration because she forgot that the birthday of her boss, who also happened to be her father, was on that day, according to Wikipedia.
To me, a great boss is one who:
- Treats people at all levels of the organization with respect, consideration, and fairness.
- Delivers tough messages with tact.
- Possesses a "do as I do," and not a "do as I say," attitude.
- Keeps their word and follows through on promises.
- Has a sense of humor.
- Performs well under the pressure of tight, or changing, deadlines.
- Lets bygones be bygones; doesn't hold a grudge.
- Takes pride in their work, their employees, and the organization itself.
- Has confidence.
One of the best bosses I've ever had wasn't just a boss, he was a friend. He took an active interest in me as a person, and not simply as an employee. While I never bought him a Boss Day card, I kind of wish I had since he's now retired and I no longer have the opportunity to express to him just what a great boss he truly was.
I guess, at the time (early in my career), I assumed it was a boss's job to praise employees when deserved. I've come to learn that praise is a two-way street, and bosses appreciate hearing it from employees just as much as employees appreciate hearing it from their bosses. So don't miss out on the opportunity to recognize the great bosses in your life on National Boss Day...and every day.
Melissa V. Pomerantz
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