Is your company run by a good boss?

Everyone is nice and happy. Have they got a pay rise, or is the company doing great? Nothing like that! They've just got a sensible boss. In many cases that's all you need.

We've started watching American version of our favorite -The Office- in our company recenty. It's just splendid. Of course in both versions the whole comedy rests on amazing boss character. In the UK it's David Brent, you can find a sample of his acting here:

His overseas counterpart is Michael Scott.

First we started quarelling which version is better and then wondering which of our previous and present bosses resembles Michael and David most. Of course it turned out that none of them.

In the end we found out a list of basic traces a normal boss should have. We'd like to recommend it as a check list both for your own use (if you're the boss) and for the evaluation of your boss. Some of them may seem trivial but it's worthwhile checking out if the boss at your company:

1. Named the aims and shared them with employees?

It's well-known everyone at work wants money. However, satisfied workers are ready to forget about it. As a matter of fact no one wants to yearn for salary. It's tiresome. That's why it's worthwhile having another aim. No matter what it is, provided it's concrete, measureable, attainable, realistic and specified in time. And first of all, everyone in the company should know what to do in order to achieve it.

2. Defined roles and functions

It's not about everyone closely following instructions. But even the most arrogant employees want to know what their duties are. If the roles and functions are cleary defined they will figure out the rest on their own. Badly defined may be the root of clashes and morale breakdown.

3. Can run the business while 'walking'

Bear in mind that Michael and David are masters in walking around. The most important thing here is the way a manager does it. Sure his realations with other workers shouldn't be solely strict and proper. He ought to be willing to talk with them. Nevertheless, sometimes he'd better stay in his office.

4. Is able to solve potential conlicts before they emerge?

It's one of the most important managerial tasks preventing and solving internal workers struggles. Still over-zeal in this matter is even worse. First ask yourself how often it was he who started the clash.

5. Keeps in touch with what's going on?

He's well familiar with advantages and disadvantages of his organisation. It's not good if the workers are more aware of them than he is. Sure their opinions may differ, still a good manager is the biggest authority at this point at least for the majority of them.

6. Engages workers in organizational change plans?

If a boss contacts his subordinates, before he takes final decision, the oddes the changes will be right are higher. Workers will complain anyway (they don't like changes at all), but not so much and not only about their superior. However democracy is a costly thing. The company will pay with time spent in meetings.

7. Points out and awards the best

It's a natural need we all have. Still, you've got to avoid controversial decisions. As with any contest workers will have their own favorites.

8. Appreciates employees meetings?

It isn't difficult at all, still a lot of managers forget to name one day, or evening, for staff parties. And you can't have too many of them. A good party with a beer or two will not only consolidate the team, but also bring forward plenty of creative solutions. The boss should take care the meetings take place, but he doen't have to be the star. In fact, it's better if he isn't.

9. Is the best boss in the world?

He'd better not.