Top Seven Traits of a Great Boss
Everyone has a favorite boss. And what makes up a fantastic boss can vary based on personal preference. But for the most part, these seven traits separate the meh from the great.
1. Punctuality
There's nothing more frustrating than a boss who constantly shows up late to every occasion and reschedules meetings last-minute. Don’t do this to your team. Yes, sometimes things are going to pop up on your calendar and you'll need to move things around. But the point is that your team feels confident that you make every effort to keep things on schedule. Time is a sign of respect. Your team deserves it from you, and you deserve it from them.
2. Curiosity
Be very wary of anyone in a leadership role who isn't curious. This goes for you, too. Staying curious means you're learning new skills, open to new strategies, and paying attention to the industry your team is in. All that filters down to the success of your team.
3. No Fear Talking to Other Departments
This sounds like a boring skill, but it's essential. Work rarely happens in a vacuum, and it's a massive disadvantage if your team is isolated from the rest of the company. Stay proactive in talking to other departments. You never know when you'll need to ask a favor of them (or they of your team) or need to cross-collaborate on an important project. Note: This is an underrated skill to look for when you're thinking of promoting someone.
4. Organization
Here's a secret: Being a boss is mostly project management. Take good notes, have important documents favorited or in folders, reexamine workflows often to help things run smoother, and stay on top of timelines and priorities.
5. Community-building
Sometimes the job isn’t the most exciting. Maybe that work is mopping floors, maybe it's dealing with angry customers who want extra foam in their cappuccinos, or maybe it's writing hundreds of pages of content about insurance. When the work itself isn't glamorous, your team dynamic is the saving grace.
As a boss, community-building within your team is one of your most crucial tasks. The good news is that it doesn't have to take a ton of effort. Something as simple as having an ice breaker during your weekly meeting can go a long way.
6. Empathy
Work and world events aren't as separated as they used to be. You can't expect business as usual if your direct report comes down with COVID. Or if wildfire smoke is seeping into their house. Or if there's a horrific mass shooting close to where they live. When particularly "loud" events happen, check in with your team. Let them log off early if possible.
7. Recognizing, Developing, and Spotlighting Talent
One of the biggest differentiators between a good boss and a good leader is talent development.
Recognizing - Recognizing talent doesn't just mean the folks you're flagging for promotion. It means recognizing talents or interests of everyone on your team. This can be through observation, or having direct conversations with your team to gauge their interests and goals. You want to know what they’re good at, what they need to work on, and what they can grow into.
Developing - Sure, developing that talent might include folks you see on the promotion track, but it should also include folks who would prefer to stay in their role, too. Try to develop their skills with coaching or point them in the right direction if outside learning can apply.
Spotlighting - Increasing your team’s visibility is crucial if you’re a manager. You’ll want to spotlight your team’s talents. There's nothing worse than working on a successful project and your name gets left out of the accolades. Not giving credit where credit is due can just as easily demotivate someone who was brave enough to try something new as a high-performer who's tired of not being appreciated. Whether that's a shout-out in a company chat or recognizing them 1:1, make sure your people are seen and appreciated. It truly will go a long way.