7 things that make great bosses unforgettable

1. Big bosses are passionate. Few things are as demotivating as a boss bored with his or her life and work. If the boss doesn’t care, why should anyone else? Unforgettable bosses are passionate about what they do. They believe in what they are trying to achieve and they enjoy doing it. This makes everyone else want to ride along.
2. They are in front of the bus. Some bosses throw their people under the bus without thinking; awesome bosses get their people off the path of the bus before they get in danger. They coach and remove obstacles, even if their people put those obstacles there in the first place. Sometimes they clean up messes people didn’t even know they were making. And if they can’t stop the bus, they jump in front of it and take the hit themselves.
3. They play chess, not checkers. Think about the difference. In checkers, all pieces are basically the same. That’s a bad model for leadership, because no one wants to feel like a faceless cog in the proverbial wheel. In chess, on the other hand, each piece has a unique role, unique abilities, and unique limitations. Unforgettable bosses are like great chess masters. They recognize what is unique about each member of their team. They know their strengths and weaknesses, likes and dislikes, and they use these insights to get the best out of each individual.
4. They are who they are, always. They don’t lie to cover up their mistakes or make false promises. Their people don’t have to expend energy trying to figure out their motives or predicting what they’ll do next. Equally important, they don’t hide things they are free to reveal. Instead of hoarding information and acting secretive to increase their own power, they generously share information and knowledge.
5. They are a port in a storm. They don’t get upset, even when everything goes haywire. Under immense pressure, they act like Eugene Kranz, flight director for the Apollo 13 mission. In the moments after the explosion, when death seemed certain and panic seemed the only option, Kranz kept a cool head and said, “Okay, let’s everyone keep calm. Let’s solve the problem, but let’s not make it worse by guessing.” In those early moments, he had no idea how they would get the astronauts home, but, as he later explained, “you don’t pass uncertainty onto your teammates.” People who have worked for an unforgettable boss often look back later and marvel at their coolness under pressure. That is why, 45 years after Apollo 13, there is still talk of Eugene Kranz and his leadership during that crisis.
6. They are human. And they are not afraid to show it. They are personable and easy going. They’re hot. They realize that people have emotions and are not afraid to express theirs. They relate first to their people as a person and then to their boss. On the other hand, they know how to control their emotions when the situation calls for it.
7. They are modest. Since these bosses don’t believe they are above anything or anyone, they talk openly about their mistakes so that everyone can learn from them. Their modesty sets a tone of humility and strength that everyone follows.

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