The credo of good bosses

by on August 20, 2010 · 3 comments
Posted in: HR Cafe

Good Bosses

Leadership articles often focus on what good bosses do. But management guru Robert Sutton likes to stress what good bosses believe.

Have a look at these beliefs, which stress the balancing act between humility and decisiveness. Do you share them?

  • I have a flawed and incomplete understanding of what it feels like to work for me.
  • I strive to be confident enough to convince people that I am in charge, but humble enough to realize that I am often going to be wrong.
  • One of the most important, and most difficult, parts of my job is to strike the delicate balance between being too assertive and not assertive enough.
  • Because I wield power over others, I am at risk of acting like an insensitive jerk — and not realizing it.
  • I aim to fight as if I am right, and listen as if I am wrong — and to teach my people to do likewise.

‘Leadership Credibility: The Confidence Base’

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  • Jen

    I think if anyone who manages would just take a second and whisper #4 to themselves once a day, the world would probably be a bit better for it.

  • Jen

    I think if anyone who manages would just take a second and whisper #4 to themselves once a day, the world would probably be a bit better for it.

  • Judy

    I agree Jen – I also like #5.