5 Things The Best Boss I Ever Had Taught Me About Being A Great Manager And Leader

culled from:www.successvalues.com
There is without a doubt one boss that I have had in my marketing career that I would call out as the very best boss I ever had. Partly as he was so exciting, inspiring and technically excellent, but also he taught me some key principles about what makes a great leader and boss. Below is a list of 5 of the key principles that he taught me, that I believe what makes a great leader.


#1: Ensure that everyone in your team, at all levels,  feel they are part of a big, special, important and exciting mission.

    Set a simple, clear but very motivating vision that is more than just about making sales or hitting profit targets. A powerful vision and belief that you are being part of something significant will ensure everyone drives and tries that bit harder.
    Make it exciting, a bit thrilling – and even feel a bit scary. But have fun doing it.
    Sales, share and profit are not exciting, although of course they need to be delivered. But make them feel more like the positive side effect of driving the mission.

Related: How One Man’s Purpose Turned Apple Into A Powerhouse
#2: Actively recruit and seek to build diversity into your teams.

    Some of the best and most creative solutions come from clashing together different thoughts, ideas and approaches.
    Encourage, and make it safe, to be different from the norm and expected. A safe pair of hands will not create masterpieces that surprise and delight. Those that challenge the status quo are more likely to find solutions that are better, more differentiated and unique in your marketplace.
    In large corporations in particular, those that stick in and take the middle round slowly but surely succeed and survive – but across very successful organizations it is the ones that challenge the status quo that are the winners and rise faster.
    BUT, you have to ensure you create an environment that everyone respects each other. Diversity only works best when people can disagree but respect each other.