Over the years I’ve worked for all types of bosses. I’ve worked blue collar UPS jobs, newspaper editorial department jobs and suit & tie corporate jobs. I’ve been managed, and I’ve managed team. I’ve worked from home as a sole proprietor and now that I’ve been blessed with having my own team to manage at my own design firm, I try my best to be the kind of boss that I would have wanted. I’m trying to be the change that I wanted to see in the (office) world.
Now think of all the types of bosses you’ve had and take a look at this list of Boss Types from Monster.com:
https://hiring.monster.com/hr/hr-best-practices/workforce-management/hr-management-skills/types-of-bosses.aspx
Here are a couple from the list that I have encountered myself:
4. The Manipulator Boss
“Also known as the Machiavellian boss, this type is extremely intelligent and one of the most dangerous. The manipulator boss is highly focused, very motivated, and always has a secret plan. He looks at people as a means to an end. The world is a giant pyramid and the apex is his. People he touches or runs over on the way to the top are casualties he writes off. If you work for a manipulator, watch your back. Your best bet is to be open and honest with him. Volunteer information. Your boss, who has long forgotten what truth is, will be left impressed by it.”
This Boss will introduce office politics where none existed. They play the game of kicking people out of meetings that they may have initially invited, and are usually worse proportionate to the size audience they have. These Bosses are great manipulators and usually have post-graduate degrees in Culinary studies but end up running a Marketing Dept. They are most likely somebody’s cousin.
“Yo-Yo Ma’s cousin…. Little Nepotizzzz” – Jack Black in School of Rock
19. The Perfectionist
“The perfectionist is a micro-manager who likes to control all of your work. The behaviour is obsessive, and leaves you with very little trust in your own abilities. Over time, you’ll learn that nothing you do will ever be good enough for him. Instead of losing all motivation, learn to work for yourself and your own standards. At one point, sit down with your boss and ask him to explain his expectations (even put them in writing) so you both can “get on the same page.”
This is the type of Boss who will always ask, “I’m not holding you up am I?” – he/she will have no problem taking your work with him so that he can ‘tweak’ it at home. This is one Boss that will require you to ‘leave your ego at the door’.
At my company, I’m really striving to be the Great Boss as described here:
21. The Great Boss
Ahh, the great boss – the supportive motivator – the boss who treats everyone with fairness regardless of politics. He communicates, keeps an open door policy, and encourages others to follow suit. He leads by example, provides superior training, and a positive work environment. He has vision, is not afraid, and doesn’t scream. He coaches his staff, and when employees leave, they will talk about him for years to come.”
Yep, that’s my goal to be that guy. I’m looking to be that boss that I wish I always had. I believe that things will work out and that it all evens out in the end. I’m very flexible when it comes to employee schedules because the same guy that needs to come in late, will be the same guy who will work late. As long as projects get completed, why should it matter? I recognize their achievements and acknowledge their efforts. At the same time, I try and take every situation, whether good or bad, and analyze it for what we may have learned or done better.
I’m pulling in the best practices of my own experience with bosses. Keep communication lines open, give lots of praise and give direction when needed. Little things like going out for lunches on employee birthdays go a long way. Surprising the team with coffee or keeping the kitchen stocked with snacks not only fosters a better work environment, but it helps productivity.
Whether your team is small, large, your own, or part of a larger corporation, you should give people the room to be great. Communicate what your expectations are and explain how vital they are to the team. Trust them to come through and do the jobs that you hired them to do, and give them the credit that is due. I also believe in letting people go above and beyond their job description. This is not to suggest that as bosses or managers, that we exploit the economy and the dire job situation and make employees work the job of several people, but the reality is that its happening. What I’m suggesting is that we don’t micromanage people to the point that their hands are tied. You don’t want robots. You want a team that thinks for themselves and that is not afraid to say, “Hey, boss, there’s a better way that we can do this…” because as much as you might think you know it all, you really don’t. Nobody does.
Resources:
21 Types of Bosses
The Four Types of Bosses We Hate
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/cutting-edge-leadership/201102/the-four-types-bosses-we-hate
About Me
Ramon has over 19 years of experience in award-winning, market-proven, print collateral, marketing material, iphone/ipad app and website design specializing in corporate identity and branding. Ramon’s passion for entrepreneurial design was borne out of 10 years as Creative Director for Jay Walker at Walker Digital, the Stamford based idea laboratory and business incubator holding over 300 US Patents. Ramon served as Senior Art Director on the start-up launch team behind Priceline.com, a Walker company and invention. Most recently, Ramon’s logo and identity work was selected to be published in “Typography and Enclosures” the fourth book in the Master Library series by LogoLounge.
Need help with your brand identity or want to overhaul your existing brand? Contact: ramon@peraltadesign.com
Follow Ramon on Twitter @Peralta_Design
