Photo Credit: Kumar Appaiah @ Flickr

Good bosses by typical, static definitions don’t exist. Young professionals tend to link Good Boss criteria with traits that have nothing to do with being an effective manager.

Therefore, a disconnect appears between the invented definition and the reality of what makes a Good Boss. Such invented criteria can be be difficult to solidify.

Someone who knows how to communicate with me

That’s a tall order. Whether you believe it or not, knowing how to communicate with someone and communicating well are two different things. One implies talents using ESP and the other involves insight, active listening and learning within a relationship .

In short, a good connection doesn’t happen overnight (if at all) when a “good boss” hires you. Expect to a build a relationship first, then (perhaps) you’ll reap the benefits of someone who communicates well with you.

Also, good communication is reciprocal. Keep that in mind the next time you complain that your boss doesn’t “get” you.

Reality: I want someone who will listen to what I have to say and give me appropriate, thoughtful feedback

Someone who trusts me to do my job

If left to your own devices, what would you really do? There’s a difference between a boss trusting you to do your job and trusting you to do your job well. In truth, you don’t want someone micromanaging your every move. If, however, you want to be trusted to do your job (and only your job), it implies you want to be left alone. In that case, you probably don’t need a boss.

But, that’s why entrepreneurship exists.

Your boss is there for guidance and instruction. They can’t trust that you will know all the answers, that’s why they exist.

Reality: I want someone who is available when I need them and can give me constructive, effective direction when I have questions

Someone who knows what they want

That’s vague. Bosses, like you, are subject to the ever changing trends and decisions of a company. Also, expecting someone to be perfectly in tune with the whims of a business is naive. Someone who knows what they want is not going to be good – they’re going to be crazy.

After all, a boss knowing what they want doesn’t necessarily mean they know what they want for the company (or what’s best for it, either).

Reality: I want someone who can navigate the company/department with enough aplomb and flexibilty so that I don’t get confused about what they need from me as an employee

Someone who will give me good work

This is not good boss criteria – this is (good) job criteria. You’ll be surprised at how many interesting, challenging projects float over people’s heads because they simply didn’t ask for them. It’s not your boss’s job to keep you professionally stimulated or motivated.

God bless ‘em if they try it though.

Managers don’t get paid to read your mind. So, if you want something – speak up for it! All a manager can do is provide access (or, let’s hope they can). Therefore, let’s not assume that if you are unchallenged in your job, it’s because you have a crappy boss. You just might have a crappy job.

Reality: I want someone who encourages professional development and will provide access to challenging work

What do you think? Is there a disconnect between what a good boss really is and what people say they want?