Your First Leadership Job: How Catalyst Leaders Bring Out the Best in Others

Your First Leadership Job

Mastery and Leadership Skills11What Your Boss Really Wants From YouBecome an Adviser

Pre:Think

Take a moment to think about all the bosses you've ever worked for. Or, if you're still pretty new to work, any “boss” type characters you've seen in movies, in books, or on television. What made them bad? Good? What made them tick?

At a recent conference attended by more than 5,000 people, we had participants stop by our booth to post some attributes of what they thought constituted a good boss and a bad boss. You'll find some of those posts on the next page. And, they confirm our earlier discussion of a catalyst leader (see Chapter 2). Based on their responses, we created a scale for you to assess your own boss. If you circle a 1, 2, or 3, he's bad news; an 8, 9, or 10, and consider yourself fortunate.

Attributes of a Good Boss

• Makes a difference in business and people's lives.
• Empowers others.
• Develops people.
• Provides coaching.
• Holds self and others accountable.
• Gives constructive feedback.
• Creates more leaders.
• Is a good and compassionate listener.
• Builds trust.
• Is a good role model.

Attributes of a Bad Boss

• Is inconsistent.
• Focuses on tasks, not on people.
• Is a poor listener.
• Micromanages.
• Withholds information.
• Gives vague, nonconstructive, or no ...