Recently I was reflecting on my professional life and an extension of that thinking has led me to consider some of the real day to day things that occur. This led to me to ask myself “what type of a “boss” am I”?
Leadership, CEO, Executive role or how ever so termed, still comes down to the practical situation that I am the boss and the buck stops with me.
Over the years I have often said that I aspire to be the boss that I always wanted to have. I am realistic enough to know that my style, personality and energy is certainly not agreeable to everybody, but most people and I, seem to get along OK. In fact, I have definitely had more people say they like working with me, than not.
Mums have had babes at side to enable easy feeding, kids hanging around after school when necessary, pets come to work where possible (big hit in an aged care residence!), partners call in when life/at home matters are important ……. All these things I am generally very accepting of as the boss. Another one of my “DC clichés” is that ‘family and health always come first’. 99% of the time when I have lived that adage and supported people at work, they have come back appreciative and I believe it demonstrates caring for them. KPI’s are achieved, successes occur and positive feedback is received. There are times I need to make the tough decisions and I am always prepared to do so. I always own the responsibility of the consequences of the decisions I make. I know I can be tough – but I work real hard to be fair.
My recalling of all this has been stimulated by an interesting exchange with a work colleague recently. Sometimes the rules and guidelines are just not needed. During a conversation about some challenges that were occurring, our dialogue detailed numerous possible outcomes. None of which we could predict without a crystal ball. After approximately 45 minutes the conversation appeared to be taking a natural conclusion and I asked “what can I do to assist you?” After a few moments of consideration the response I received was “A hug would be good!”
And it was. A boss moment like no other!
DC
Leadership, CEO, Executive role or how ever so termed, still comes down to the practical situation that I am the boss and the buck stops with me.
Over the years I have often said that I aspire to be the boss that I always wanted to have. I am realistic enough to know that my style, personality and energy is certainly not agreeable to everybody, but most people and I, seem to get along OK. In fact, I have definitely had more people say they like working with me, than not.
Mums have had babes at side to enable easy feeding, kids hanging around after school when necessary, pets come to work where possible (big hit in an aged care residence!), partners call in when life/at home matters are important ……. All these things I am generally very accepting of as the boss. Another one of my “DC clichés” is that ‘family and health always come first’. 99% of the time when I have lived that adage and supported people at work, they have come back appreciative and I believe it demonstrates caring for them. KPI’s are achieved, successes occur and positive feedback is received. There are times I need to make the tough decisions and I am always prepared to do so. I always own the responsibility of the consequences of the decisions I make. I know I can be tough – but I work real hard to be fair.
My recalling of all this has been stimulated by an interesting exchange with a work colleague recently. Sometimes the rules and guidelines are just not needed. During a conversation about some challenges that were occurring, our dialogue detailed numerous possible outcomes. None of which we could predict without a crystal ball. After approximately 45 minutes the conversation appeared to be taking a natural conclusion and I asked “what can I do to assist you?” After a few moments of consideration the response I received was “A hug would be good!”
And it was. A boss moment like no other!
DC
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