Attributes of a “Best Boss”

Do you think you might be considered the best boss any of your employees ever had? Think about this long and hard. What really constitutes a “best boss”? How would you describe them?

There is a simple exercise you can use to determine the best characteristics of a leader. The next time you are with a group of people, ask them to close their eyes and think about the best boss they ever had or observed; ask them to remember someone who had a positive, long-term impact on their lives. Picture that person in their mind until they remember everything they can about them and write down ten adjectives that best describe that person. Then ask them to call out their adjectives while you record them on a flip chart, blackboard, or computer screen. You and they might be amazed at the adjectives that receive more than one mention.

Business consultant, Ron Wiley, asked that question of some 10,000 people.  The top-ten list is listed in the table below along with the results from similar exercises conducted by the American Management Association and AT&T. Note the similarities.  The fourth column lists those traits commonly taught in our management training schools and seminars.

Characteristics of Leaders

	Ron Wiley	American Mgmt. Assoc.	AT&T		Commonly Taught Characteristics
1.	Honest	Honest	Honest		Visionary
2.	Knowledgeable	Competent	Competent		Persistent
3.	Understanding	Forward Looking	Inspiring		Dedicated
4.	Good Listener	Inspiring	Courageous		Passionate
5.	Fair	Intelligent	Forward Looking		Principled
6.	Considerate	Fair Minded			Resourceful
7.	Positive	Broad Minded			Quick-minded
8.	Supportive	Straight Forward			Self-confident
9.	Caring	Imaginative			Honest
10.	Punctual	Dependable			Determined

Are you surprised that the number one attribute from all three of the feedback groups is honesty?  Notice the high ranking of fair, considerate, dependable, and caring. Wiley concluded that if you want to be a good leader, read the Boy Scout manual. It is all there.

Compare those results with the fourth column of what we think are desired characteristics of a good boss. Do you see similarities or disconnects? Which is right? Perhaps, all of the above.

Now take this one step farther; what do you think your employees would say about you if they were asked to write ten adjectives to describe you. Would honesty be number one on the list? Would you be embarrassed, afraid, or proud of what they might list?

Any exercise has little value unless it results in action. A useful exercise is to write down the ten adjectives that you think they might say and compare to the top ten lists above. Next compose a list of actions to undertake to improve your characteristics. Share this list with a spouse or friend to affirm your commitment and follow through.

It is never too late, nor are we too busy, to improve.