Good Boss/Bad Boss-Which Do You Have?

Imagine this scenario:

You have a new job, and this new job requires a fair amount of report writing and authoring of presentations to senior executives. You’ve never had to write much in your previous jobs and you know you’re not a very good writer. You are a bit nervous about this aspect of your job.

A few months into your job, your boss shares his opinion that your writing needs to improve. ‘Good feedback’ you think, which you take to heart. But having no real ‘way’ to improve your writing skills—and lacking any pointed feedback about what needs to change, you just try harder.

Two Bosses:

Now imagine that, in this new job scenario, you have two different bosses. Both are giving you performance evaluations at the end of 6 months:

Boss One says to you during your performance review, ‘Your writing is bad and you need to get better. I’m putting this down in your employee record that ‘you are failing a basic competency.’  ‘Furthermore,’ he says, ‘you need to take some kind of night course—on your own time and with your own money—to get better.’

Boss Two says during your performance review, ‘I just don’t like your writing. You are not that good at it. What you need is a writing coach. And since this is an important skill you’ll need in this job and future jobs, the organization will provide and pay for the coach.’

The Difference Between and a Good and a Bad Boss:

Have you had to work for Boss One? How about Boss Two? What’s the core difference between these bosses?

Boss One does not see that mentoring, professional development and skill building is part of his obligation—or the organizations’ obligation to address. To Boss One, this is a ‘defect’ that needs to be fixed. The entire problem-and solution-is the employees’ to address.

Boss Two sees this shortcoming as a fundamental obligation of his to fix as a way to grow his staff, develop his organization and mentor his people. Boss Two feels these responsibilities are part of his ‘job description’ of a boss.

The Pain of a Bad Boss:

Turns out lots of us have or have had bad bosses.  The Washington Post reports that over 70% of working people have had to deal with low forms of abuse from their bosses (like being ignored, not reading employee’s work products, excluding them from important meetings).

And bad bosses have a very negative affect on the workplace: Not surprisingly employees use the power they have to intentionally making mistakes, putting in the least amount of effort required and calling sick when they were well.

And bad bosses, actually make employees un-well. Stress, depression and anxiousness soar with bad bosses. However, get a good boss, and employees are happier, more productive and stay longer…(Duh…)

My Very Real Experience:

The imaginary scenario at the beginning of this article is my real-life work story.  I had both these bosses at different points in my career...and in this above order!

I never followed-up on Boss One’s recommendations because I felt embarrassed by the feedback. I felt defeated the moment I left his office. Also, I really did not want to go search for, pay for, or attend a night course.

However, I did take Boss Two’s recommendation, and used a writing coach. I felt as though I had my boss’s support and therefore I was motivated to get better. And that made all the difference.

The Good Boss/Bad Boss Checklist:

As I reflect on what makes good and bad bosses, I believe the list is short. But it’s a checklist we must pay attention to and respect.

Here is my checklist:

Your boss routinely does the following things:

1.      Makes time to work with you to improve your job performance.

2.      Recognizes your work to others.

3.      Gives you flexibility to perform your job.

4.      Knows how to turn-up the heat to make sure the work gets done equally, by all.

5.      Provides you with useful feedback.

6.      Supports you and has your back.

You feel that:

7.      Your contribution is seen and recognized.

8.      You are comfortable talking with your boss about your needs and concerns.

9.      You are on the same side, fighting the same fight, as your boss.

10.  Your strengths, not your weaknesses are valued.

11.  Your boss helps you get the training and mentoring needed to build your skill set.

If you can answer 9 out of 11 with a “YES,” then, I’d suggest you are in a great job. If you score less than an 8, then think hard about your alternatives…

Remember that you are ? the equation which means you have ? the power...actually, you might have more than ? the power because in the end of the day, it’s your health and your well-being. Make sure to safe guard it because no one else will.

About the author: Recognized by LinkedIn as a "Top Voice" in Health Care in 2015 & 2106, & 2107, Julie Kliger is passionate about improving health care and improving lives. She is a consultant, author and speaker. She specializes in healthcare model redesign, organizational strategy and change management.