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How to be the best... and learn from the worst
Numerous studies around the world during the past several decades drew similar conclusions, noting that "75% of the workforce reports that their immediate supervisor is the most stressful part of their job." This book is about what the best bosses do. As Sutton says, "most people don't want to settle for being (or having) a mediocre boss" - and he defines 'boss' as anybody who has at least one person directly reporting to them.
According to the author, there are five aspects of the mindset that makes a good boss.
The 5 priorities of good bosses
- Find the balance between over-managing (or micromanaging) and under-managing. Good bosses understand when to exert more control vs. when to back off and when to coach vs. when to discipline.
- Good bosses think of managing in terms of a marathon, not like a sprint. Effective bosses can communicate a sense of urgency without treating things like one long emergency.
- Having long-term goals is important, but good bosses also know that the day-to-day efforts and small accomplishments also matter. The best bosses are those who can break down problems into bite-size, achievable pieces for their team to work on.
- Beware what Sutton calls 'The Toxic Tandem", which is made up of the boss's obliviousness (to what their employees need, say, and do) and self-centered ways and the idea that followers closely watch their boss's words and actions.
- Good bosses protect and fight for their employees. These bosses take the heat (from upper management) when their employees screw up.
Two questions to ask yourself every day
Sutton ends the book by suggesting two things to focus on every day in order to be the best boss you can be:
- Would people want to work for you - and would they choose to work for you again if they had a choice?
- Are you in tune with what it feels like to work for you?
"Managing is like holding a dove in your hand. If you hold it too tightly, you'll kill it but if you hold it too loosely you'll lose it."Tommy Lasorda (baseball manager)