Good Boss vs. Bad BossI just got finished with a small contract project, and I started thinking about what it used to be like to actually have a regular job where you have to go into work each day and are beholden to your boss' whims.
Anyway, I've had both really good and really horrible bosses. The effects of both seemed very heightened, given that I worked in the hi-tech industry for companies that were either struggling to start up or launching multiple new products and promotions at the same time.
That said, below are some comparisons (based on personal experience) between a good boss and a bad boss:
During a major project that requires approvals and feedback to meet deadlines:
-A good boss will return calls and emails promptly, always with a little tag line about what a great job you're doing and how much they appreciate your hard work.
-A bad boss will not show for appointments or be so late that he misses meetings, turn his cell phone off for hours, and never return emails. This same boss will then come in at the last minute after all the work has been done and change everything so as to ensure you miss your deadline and none of your ideas come to fruition.
During the holidays:
-A good boss will ensure you are able to have some time with your family, slowing down the work flow to ensure balance is achieved and you come back after the new year refreshed and ready to take on new projects.
-A bad boss will go on holiday himself, remaining completely unavailable, while you finish work on the year end report, next quarter's plan, and guiding the agency in preparation for the financial earnings news release.
After a major news release or new product launch is successfully executed:
-A good boss will find a concrete way to ensure you are recognized for your hard work. This could include cash bonuses, complimentary dinners out, or an award recognizing your success.
-A bad boss will take all the credit for the success of the endeavor, never even mentioning that you worked on the project. He will go out with the Sales team to be slapped on the back while you remain working 70 hours a week with no reward and no time with your family.
When the annual Sales incentive trip comes around:
-A good boss will throw your name in the hat as a possible includee in the trip, at least giving you a chance to compete for the few slots that are left for the trip that could be awarded to select marketing team members for their contribution to achieving sales goals.
-A bad boss will do everything he can to ensure that he and his family get to go on the trip, especially if there is only one slot left allotted to marketing.
When it comes to raises and bonuses:
-A good boss will try and ensure all those members of the team that exceed their goals are given the best possible raise and bonus.
-A bad boss will take the largest piece of the raise and bonus pie he can for himself, splitting the pittance that is left equally among the team because he does not like conflict and thus does not ever bring attention to his shining stars on the team.
In general:
-A good boss supports his team, remains available to them for guidance and approvals to ensure their projects remain on time or better, recognizes his employees for their contributions both inside and outside the company, and mentors his staff, helping them to exceed their professional goals within the company while recognizing the need for balance in professional and personal lives.
-A bad boss will remain unavailable, refuse to return emails, will be late for meetings (making sure you realize his time is more important than yours), take credit for any success you have, take time off when he knows you are back at the office finishing the project he will eventually take credit for, give you a mere pittance of what you are worth in the way of raises and bonuses, will rarely if ever thank you for your hard work, and will eventually weed out anyone with any talent or work ethic at all from his team to ensure he doesn't look like a slacker in front of the execs.
Yeah, I've had a couple of really great bosses, but I've also had one or two really bad bosses. I know the bad ones will get theirs in the end...shame I won't be around to see it :).
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Comments
Yes, I agree. I've had good and bad bosses, too. It's amazing how much I love my job with a good boss, and how much I hate the same job with a bad one.
Posted by: catherine on October 26, 2005 09:22 PM
