‘A good boss will stand up for you, listen to you and rationalise for collective success.’
I write this for anyone who is either embarking on a new career or in the middle of changing roles. There are several factors we consider when we accepting a new role. Salary, designation, proximity to home, big fish in a small pond or a small fish in a big pond etc.
However, how many of us actually ask questions about the person we will be reporting to? Our Boss.
This is the reason I wanted to write about it.
Barring my first job, I have always asked that question at some stage of my hiring/interview process. Sometimes directly and on some occasions indirectly. For me, it is the most critical question along with role and salary. Even today.
A good boss makes a huge contribution to your professional success. They are the wind beneath your wings. You realise how they make it your victory, your journey and your role so effortless. You shine for yourself and your organisation. It’s a win-win.
“In your success is my success,” said my mentor/angel investor to me. What followed was a decade of an amazing work relationship. As a professional with 20+ years behind me, I consider myself fortunate reporting to supportive and encouraging women and men. Each one of them helped me be who I am today. Focused, Compassionate, Unwavering, Fair and Hands-on.
From Sharada Prasad at Tanishq, who was ever so encouraging and ever ready to help me achieve the small and important milestones to David Hudson who believed in my capabilities and allowed me to lead my department, that worked closely with several group companies in the region of 15 countries. He was a man with a progressive vision and empathy towards working women (long before diversity became the buzzword.) My 6-month-old daughter came with me to the office so that I could continue my career smoothly. Uday Punj, Chandni Jafri, Vijay Chintamaneni, each one had added a coat of sheen to my career. And mind you a couple of them were younger to me in age but that was never ever a reason of concern for me. They are bright progressive intelligent people.
So here are the few reasons why you should pick your boss carefully.
- The Good Boss leads by example. He/She stays ahead of his/her team, provides direction and does not lead by instilling fear. He/She does not expect you to be a yes minister and has the patience to listen to your ideas without rubbishing them. Is mature enough to guide you without being a dictator and communicate his perspective positively to you.
- The Good Boss will invest time in guiding and grooming you. She/he will help you to grow to your maximum potential. He/She will not indulge in making you the grass that he/she will trample on, to get to better pastures.
- The Good Boss will not hesitate to give you responsibilities & will trust you. He /she will help you move you forward, not just in your career but in your life, in general. He will encourage you to make mistakes and learn from them without penalising you. Of course, this is a two-way street and he will quickly know if you are not an earnest colleague. So don’t try to fool him/her, he/she will know and that is the worst thing you can do to your career.
- A Good Boss will stand up for you on a bad day. He/she will shield you from a genuine blip when it happens. He/she will not throw you under the bus to save himself.
- A Good Boss will invest time in helping you plan your career trajectory.
- On a lighter note, a Good Boss will take vacations and encourage you to take breaks to rejuvenate.
What you need to do in return.
- Never take him for granted.
- Never try to fool him or lie to him. That’s a BIG no-no. They will see through you and you would have lost a well-wisher for life.
- Never embarrass him in public. Even if you disagree with him on a certain matter have the grace not to counter him in front of his seniors or third party clients/ vendors. Always do that in private, and you will see how smooth your relationship will be.
- NEVER, never mistake to cross the professional line when interacting in a non-professional situation. It’s a fine line. Maintain that. Maintain a respectful invisible distance when you meet him in a personal off-the-office situation. Never go back slapping your boss. Always be respectful. It will go a long way.
- Do not make casual negative remarks about him or the organisation in your next role/ interview. It will reflect negatively on you.
Always remember, you will be a Boss too and you have to be the person you would love as a Boss.
Image courtesy:
sugandhad.com 