You the boss!

While I have not professionally held the title of a manager, supervisor or as I call it "a boss" as a subordinate I have observed the do's and don'ts to managing others through being managed.  On top of being intelligent, ethical and being good at what you do I believe the next ten things wouldn't hurt to be good at being "a boss".

1 - Open Communication
You have to have an open line of communication in all aspects so that there is no guessing in the work relationship.  That goes from communicating performance to letting your employees know you aren't coming to work or are leaving early.  Today, my boss left the office early, leaving our team confused at where she was, if she was coming back and if and how we could reach her if an emergency occurred.  Literally, no one in my department knew where our boss went. 
2 - Empowerment
If you don't motivate your employees and instill confidence in them to do a great job, 9 out of 10 times your employees won't produce their best work.
3 - Transparency
While managers can't always tell their employees everything, like future plans not yet approved, the fact that an executive is retiring, etc.  However, if that is the nature of your job, as a boss, let your employees know that you will be as open and honest with them as their job allows.  Honest enough to share what you can, and honest enough to say when you can't.  When the economy was down back in 2008 my boss let me know early on, that there will not be any bonuses for me or anyone in the company and she was right.  It sucked, but she was honest.
4 - Approachable
Some bosses think that being a boss means to be mean, unapproachable and to have your employees intimidated by you.  This will cause resentment and actions driven by fear.  They will hate you and talk about you behind your back.  This one goes with number one, there will be no communication if you are unapproachable to begin with. 
5 - Engaged/Presence
If you don't care, they won't care.  Bosses who are detached or disengaged when it comes to the department they are managing run the risk of losing the focus of their employees.  A previous boss of mine seemed not to care if and when she came to work, when deadlines were approaching and if I was even doing my job.  At first I thought she just really trusted me, I mean I am a stellar employee, but then I began to notice that she was just not that into the job.  Maybe this was temporary, maybe she was going through something, whatever the case it led me to become resentful and overworked.  So, make sure as a manager, you stay tuned.
6 - Supportive
Employees need cheerleaders at work.  Support on projects, support during conflict and support in the growth of their career.
7 - Respectful
Disrespect does not yield positive results.  Again, this will get your employees talking about you behind your back.
8 - Secure/Confident
If a manager is not secure in their abilities they tend to hoard work and not work towards developing their employees to be successful.  Most times employees don't want to stay in their same position forever, they want to grow.  If the manager thinks that their subordinate will outshine them or pass them up in some way, they will be hesitant in providing opportunity.  If you feel like that, than you as a manager should take up a course to better your skill set instead of holding someone back.
9 - Lead by example
Do as I say, not as do, works best coming from a parent or guardian.  Coming from "a boss" ummm, not so much.  This will cause confusion and in my opinion lead to unethical behavior.  You mean to tell me that if you are a boss you act one way and if you aren't you act another - not good.  The reality is EVERYONE has a boss unless you own your business, so you will eventually have to answer to someone.  How about you just do the right thing and use your best judgement when in doubt and showcase good professional behavior to your employees.
10 - Human
You did not start your job as "a boss".  We all have to start somewhere, learn something and make a mistake along the way.  We are all human and that includes our bosses!

Bon Voyage... I think?

There have been a number of voluntary resignations at my place of employment recently.  Some off to other jobs - better in their eyes of course, some to take on their dream job completely opposite of what they were doing, others to retire and a couple to tend to their young offspring.  In this economy I think its great, when someone can decide to leave their job, for whatever reason they choose.  My question however leads to the good bye. 

The department that I work for (Human Resources) has this very strict policy to not acknowledge the person's departure if they are leaving to go to another company.  Not acknowledging is actually an understatement - sometimes I didn't even know the person was leaving until days before their last day.  I will have to do some further research on this school of thought, because I've seen departments in the same building celebrate the progression of soon-to-be former employees.  Unlike when someone retires, there of course is this great party, with decorations and a catered spread, or I even had a coworker resign because her husband received a great job offer out of state.  I totally agree that in these situations - food, some cake and punch or even an after work dinner would be in order - especially if they were a valued employee who did a great job!

But - then a part of me says, although an elaborate send off is not necessary for the employee who is mentally screaming "deuces" from the top of their lungs, off to their bigger and better job - an acknowledgement and thank you for their work and skills they brought to the company would be a nice courteous and ethical gesture.  No matter their choice - you can't deny their contributions to the company, you just can't.   

This clearly is not a direct science as to how you part ways with your staff/colleague, because some employees may have not have been the best employee anyway, but a little thought and your best judgement can come in handy when their last day arrives.  Even if it's just some bagels and coffee the manager can gather the team to say thank you for your services and best of luck to you in your endeavors!  OR if the company would be better off without them, an email blast to your team to say thanks and encourage the staff to drop by and say good bye and good luck.

That's not hard to do - it's really not.

When the Cat's Away.....*

This mouse does not play.  My boss is out of the office on business for the next 4 work days.  And boy did I raise the roof, shout hallelujah and did any and everything else to celebrate my much needed break away from the "man".  But the funny thing about me - is that I get my best work and the most work done when my boss is out of the office.

Unlike the idiom - I generally do my playing when my boss is in the office.  It is better to maneuver the "play" aspect: shuffle papers, pick up the phone and pretend I am taking a business call, and take a long stroll to the vending machine when my boss is in.  No one else is keeping their eye on me, because if I look like I am chilling and my boss is in, no one will think any of it.  They think, would I dare play around with my boss in town??  However, beware, one false move when your boss is out, you will sure call attention to your schemes!

My boss's absence allows me to work without any interruptions, my to-do list actually serves its purpose and my talk breaks to my colleague are shorter, because I am so motivated to get the things on my agenda done! 

Later in the day, a colleague invited me to a slack fest, but I declined; she was shocked that I had the audacity to actually get some work done during this so-called vacation!  If you don't listen to nothing else I say, don't fall victim to this idiom.  Handle your business with or without your boss or supervisor around.  If you need a break to surf the net, talk to your friends, or try to leave early - do it when your boss is there.  This leaves you free from unwanted speculation and it's easier to talk your way in or out of something when it comes straight from the horses mouth.  How is that for another idiom!

*Idiom: 

Without supervision, people will do as they please, especially in disregarding or breaking rules. For example, As soon as their parents left, the children invited all their friends over—when the cat's away, you know. This expression has been a proverb since about 1600 and is so well known it is often shortened, as in the example.

"What does a "boss" really do? I mean really, my boss really doesn't do anything. He comes in late, goes to the hospital, hob-nobbing, and gives me all of his things to do...even his mail...so my new goal...should it be to become..........a boss?" A quote from my dear friend who is a Physician's Assistant. She has is a legitimate concern and she got me thinking. What does a boss really do?

Well...... from my experiences they:

• Come in late (some) and turn around and leave early. They even lie about staying late, "working all hours of the night" yeah right. Failed attempts to trick you into believing it, as they make sure they are still there when you leave but in reality are seconds behind you out the door.
• Ask you to do useless tasks unrelated to your career goals such as "preparing an overnight envelope for their personal use" or "going to the soda machine to get them a Pepsi".
• Speak aggressively in a meeting about what actions they are going to take with a project only to impress the VP. You are even impressed at how your boss is going to develop and launch that wonderful idea and then when you least expect it, their exciting idea and the work involved gets dumped on you with a very limiting deadline to deliver; All the while never letting you forget that this is a deliverable of theirs. "Then you should make sure it gets delivered!" is what I want to say!
• Bring in lunch for the department - we're not stupid, we know we are now on a "working lunch". We end up not getting a break at all, while they take 2 hour "business" lunches.
• Lastly, ride your back to meet goals that affect their bonus. Going as far as to make you stop meaningful work that affects your performance review, to have you work on labeling a drawer (something they could do themselves) so that they can pass the office audit and get upwards of tens of thousands of bonus dollars, while we suffer for low pay and get nothing but another paid for lunch that we end up working through.

So to answer April's question - "Should her new goal be to become a boss"?

I say noooooo, don't sell your soul to the devil, don't turn to the dark side, save your character and good will. We shall overcome!