I reconnected with a friend this morning. My first question was, “How do you like your new job?” Without missing a beat, she replied, “I love my job – I have the best boss I’ve had in 20 years!” She went on to speak about the work, the company, her co-workers, and then came back around to speak more about this fabulous boss.
Once again, I’m reminded of what a difference it makes when you have a great boss. In fact, I’ve never heard anyone rave about how much they love their job if they don’t have a great boss.
In my work as a leadership coach, I hear lots of stories about great leaders and some not so great leaders. A few themes come up over and over again. Here are a few of my favorite traits of exceptional leaders:
- They are good communicators and great listeners
- They are self-aware and able to self-manage their own emotional triggers
- They care deeply about the people and the work
- They work to build trust and connection amongst the team members
- They are willing and able to make the hard calls and follow through to resolve difficult situations
- They tie the organization’s vision to the work of the team and help their people connect with their role in reaching that vision
- They provide clarity by letting people know where they stand and what is expected of them
- They hold high standards
- They never forget that we’re human, not robots
- They celebrate success
This list is a starting point. I’m curious what you’ve experienced. What are the common traits of your best bosses? When you’ve worked with not-so-great bosses, what was missing? What is the impact on you of working for an exceptional leader?
And finally, how do YOU want to show up in your leadership role? Which of these themes represents a growth opportunity for you?
Let me hear from you in the comments below.