Bad Boss
is dogmatic and inflexible
is subjective
is feared
is self serving
sticks strictly to the "company line."
communicates to impress their superiors
Good Boss
delegates
trusts staff with minimal supervision
is supportive and encourages initiative
encourages staff to work together towards common goals.
has honesty and integrity
their motivation not just based on gain for themselves or power as an end in itself
has self confidence
has belief in the abilities of others
has sensitivity to others feelings
is fair towards all
has drive: this encompasses achievement, motivation, ambition, initiative, energy, tenacity and resilience
has relevant skills and knowledge
has a positive mood
"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great."
Mark Twain
Unlike top management at Enron, exemplary leaders reward dissent. They encourage it. They understand that, whatever momentary discomfort they experience as a result of being told they might be wrong, it is more than offset by the fact that the information will help them make better decisions.
Warren Bennis
The “Top Ten” Skills shortages among graduates
% of employers surveyed
1 Commercial Awareness 67%
2 Communication Skills 64%
3 Leadership 33%
4 Ability to work in a team 33%
5 Problem solving 32%
6 Conceptual ability 21%
7 Subject Knowledge & competence 19%
8 Foreign languages 19%
9 Numeracy 19%
10 Good general education 15%
Source: Association of Graduate Recruiters “Skills for Graduates in the 21st Century” www.agr.org.uk