Title: Good Boss, Bad Boss: How to Be the Best…and Learn
from the Worst
Author: Sutton, Robert I.
Subjects: Supervision of employees; Managing your boss
Call Number: 658.409 S967G 2010
ISBN: 9780446556088
Page Numbers: 308 p
Book Description:
If you are the
boss, are you a good one? How can you keep honing your skills-and stir your
people to give their all and be proud to work for you? Are you in tune with how
your words and deeds (and those little looks on your face) affect your
followers? What do they really think of you-are you aware of how they see you,
or do you live in a fool’s paradise? If they had a choice, would they continue
to work for you?
Dr. Sutton
weaves together real-life case studies and pertinent behavioral science
research to deliver a precise and sometimes startling account of what the best
bosses do. Good Boss, Bad Boss delivers a definitive manifesto for anyone who
has ever been elevated to a position of authority-and a blueprint of salvation
for those who suffer because their bosses just don’t seem to get it (quoted
from inside the book’s jacket).
My Read:
“It’s not
about you.” This is an advice from Jack Welch and Robert Joss and other authors
in the field of management and leadership. It implores and discourages managers
and leaders from falling prey to their most selfish and destructive instincts
(Sutton, p245). I read other leadership books that hold the similar suggestion
and warning. In Sutton’s book it stated “It’s all about you.” There are these
two contradictions of ideas on management and leadership. To me, both ideas and
thoughts are solid and justified correct. It comes from different motivations
and applications.
“It’s not
about you.” This serves as friendly warning and benign advice for bosses not to
be egotistical, selfish, overbearing or other self-obsessed hunger of
authority. If there is no followers how could a person define or consider
him/herself a leader? It’s people who matter; their loyalty and will to follow
and be led are the core values of a good boss.
“It’s all
about you.” It also makes sense for management and leadership, back to its core
and essence, that both are all about self-growth and self-awareness. Able to be a good
boss, a person has to dedicate and commit to making efforts and making a
difference in people’s lives. Power and authority could fool a person; they
prey on weak souls whose tunnel vision and narrow mind set originated from
greed and thirst for control and status. Ambition is good if the motivation and
aspiration are initiated from altruism combined with self-actualization. To
live to the fullest, a person aims higher going beyond the horizon. As one sets
off for excellence and challenges the higher standards, the same person is
willing to share acquired skills, experiences, and knowledge with people
around.
A great boss is one who grows
people with potentials and promising talents. A great manager is one who
encourages his/her staff to walk out their comfort zone and meet goals they
don’t think they could match. A great leader is one who not only leads his/her
followers with a well-defined vision s/he leads with her/his heart and soul.
At the end
of the book the author asked a good question: “Are you in tune with what it
feels like to work for you?” Asking questions is a sure and inspiring way for
self-growth and self-awareness. This question reminds me of a good salesperson.
In my view and definition of a good salesperson is a person who not only is
able to sell s/he is capable of reselling again and again. It’s a marathon, not
a sprint. The course of life is a marathon; one has to equip oneself with gears
plus assistance from other people. One’s life is comprised of teamwork;
assistance and aid from others come as one helps oneself and tries one’s best.
God would
help if one is willing to try first. The subtitle: Learn from the Worst sounds
so true. The bad bosses serve as mirrors and sounding warning. Bad influence
could become a tool and leverage if one is sure his/her motivation and ambition
are not all about self-gain or just self-fulfillment. When savoring a piece of
bread don’t forget to share, at least, the crumbs.
To be good
or become bad, it’s a choice away.
References:
The No Asshole Rule—Robert Sutton
Leadership Is an Art—Max DePree
Up the Organization—Robert Townsend
“Corner Office: Fitting In, and Rising to the Top”—Adam
Bryant—http://wwwnytimes.com/2009/09/20/business/20corner.html?_r=3&scp=2&sq=scarf%20CEO&st=cse
“They Watch Everything You Do”—Kelley
Eskridge--http://www.humansatwork.com/they-watch-everything-you-do/
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