How You Can Earn the “Best Boss” Title

By: Jill Monte, Writer & Editor

In the business world, bad bosses are a dime a dozen, but what about the best bosses? While employees are often all too eager to complain about undesirable management skills or lack of empathy, I’m here to tell you that there are plenty of terrific and talented bosses out there who deserve recognition.

For example, take my new boss, Yana Gaines, CEO & President of Michigan Premier Marketing Team. She has already demonstrated more inspiration, compassion and flexibility in two weeks than I’ve seen other bosses show in a whole year. Although I, myself have been fortunate to work for some very intelligent and driven managers over the years, the traits that employees like me appreciate most – shared values and inspired vision – were severely lacking.

There’s so much we can learn from great leaders like Yana Gaines, who ask these questions on a regular basis, “What can I do to make sure my team is happy and challenged, that they’re going to stay and continue to do their best work every day?”

Google recently conducted a comprehensive study that found that “what employees valued most were even-keeled bosses who made time for one-on-one meetings, who helped people puzzle through problems by asking questions, not dictating answers, and who took an interest in employees’ lives and careers.”

Promoting hard work and success while encouraging a healthy work-life balance is a challenge, at best, for many companies and bosses, but Gaines is committed to allowing her team the opportunity to have a great career and a fulfilling family life.

“I treat my employees with the utmost trust and respect. If someone needs to alter their work hours to be able to attend their child’s soccer game, I’m all for it. At the end of the day, as long as we’re communicating and the work is getting done , I am fully supportive of a flexible schedule, time off, working from home … whatever they need to make life easier is what I support,” says Gaines.

This “out of the box” mindset is one of the many traits that Gaines, and all great bosses posses. Here’s what I think are the Top 10 Qualities you need to be in the running for “Boss of the Year.”

1.    Mentor. A great boss coaches us. They take the time to grow and develop our strengths and improve our weaknesses in order to help us achieve our highest potential.

2.    Empowerment. Confident bosses know that stifled or micromanaged employees aren’t going to stick around.  Instead, they encourage us to use our voices by offering solutions and implementing changes.

3.    Communication. Conscientious bosses make sure that we are always well-informed and not blind sighted by new policies, procedures, or other essential company data. Keeping in touch with each employee individually also fosters a sense of connection and camaraderie.

4.    Understanding. A caring boss exhibits the desire to offer stress-free work circumstances and understands when emergencies in our personal lives need to come before the job.

5.    Recognition. An encouraging boss takes the time to regularly let us know that we’re appreciated. Occasionally, the boss also offers monetary bonuses or incentives (gift cards, movie tickets, free lunch, etc.) in recognition of a job well done.

6.    Sense of Humor. A non-egocentric boss can laugh at herself and find the humor in most situations. Inspiring leaders don’t hide their failures, they admit them and use them as learning experiences.

7.    Knowledge. In this competitive market, it’s critical for bosses to be engaged, empowered, driven and motivated. We need a boss who makes sure that we have the resources to get our jobs done and, beyond that, offers foresight and forward-thinking.

8.    Authenticity. Great leaders take the time to get to know us. They are the ones who remember our kids’ names and ask about our ailing mother.  Even when talking in a group setting, they’re able to make a connection based on shared interests and set a tone of commonality.

9.    Humble. A humble boss shares authority, invites feedback and naturally praises our actions far more than the time spent promoting their own personal accomplishments.

10.  Creative. Bosses who excel at creative leadership search for and discover opportunities, introduce positive change and take risks in creating new products and processes.

Inspired to be the best you can be? After reading this Top 10 list, it’s impossible not to feel motivated to be a better boss or employee.  If you’re a boss and you already possess all these amazing qualities, pat yourself on the back. Or maybe one of your employees will nominate you for that “Boss of the Year” award.