The Top 3 Qualities of Great Bosses: Insights from a 17-Year Career

Have you ever wondered what truly sets great bosses apart from the rest? Beyond mere technical skills and knowledge, exceptional leaders possess unique psychological traits that inspire and motivate their teams. Drawing from my extensive experience working with numerous CEOs and emerging leaders, I’ve observed that great bosses exhibit a few traits that truly set them apart. In this blog, we’ll explore the three key psychological qualities that distinguish outstanding bosses from their less effective counterparts.

Is there a psychological difference between great bosses and bad ones? 

Having worked closely with innumerable CEOs and emerging leaders in my 17-year career lifespan, I have realised that there are 3 psychological things that great leaders do differently as compared to the ‘mediocre’ or even the ‘demonic’ ones!

Let’s take a look at the top 3 qualities of great bosses…

1. They treat employees as ‘people’ with their own needs, fears, aspirations, learning styles and interests. When shit hits the roof, it’s easy to forget that we are dealing with people and expect them to be machines of delivery on an assembly line. They cease to be humans with feelings and desires. Great bosses always remember the human component. Therefore, you can always count on them because they always make the time to be available for you.

2. They avoid the ‘seagull’ style of giving feedback. Bad bosses master this style of giving feedback. They swoop in during the dreaded performance review conversations nitpicking on everything, and then take off and disappear when it’s important to mentor. Did you know that only 2% of bosses provide continuous, safe, meaningful and growth-oriented feedback? 

3. They listen. And that is rare! Most other bosses are busy promoting their own views too strongly. they believe they ‘know it all’. They use sarcasm, arguments, and belittling humour as an important arsenal to keep things under control. Amazing bosses believe that people have a brain that can think, and the potential to use it in a way that can add tremendous value. 

4. Bonus quality: Great bosses have a life beyond work. They are wholesome individuals with relationships, passions, hobbies, friends, family and interests. Hence, they don’t use work to bolster their confidence or feel worthy. They also aren’t insecure workaholics who feel empowered by over-powering others. 

Bottomline – Great bosses don’t have the need to ‘boss around’ 🙂 

Do share your experience with good bosses and what stood out for you. It would be so wonderful to curate a list of the most desirable traits in a boss. After all, it doesn’t take much to be boss, but it takes a lot to be the one who gets remembered fondly and with respect.