I wonder if there is such a thing. The problem is that we’ve spoken about ethics and business and personal behaviour for the past two weeks during the Practice Management Workshop.Now I want to take it one further.
The Ethical Boss. The Great Ethical Boss.
Similar to what Patrick Lencioni said – people leave jobs where they’re anonymous – there is another facet to consider. Or let me ask you first – why did you leave your last job? And the one before that?
Money is often the reason, and that may be so. I resigned a few times because the growing needs of a young family, coupled with insufficient budgetary controls, necessitated a move. I get that. But honestly, I would not have left my first private sector job if it were not for the money issue. I was having too much fun there. And at the three jobs after that, I realise, I was looking for the same thing I had had – a great boss.
People leave bad bosses. Not companies or organisations. Bad bosses.
How do I recognise – more importantly, how do I become – a great boss? I want to touch only on four points today.
1. Communication. An oldie, but still a goodie. Do we understand this word? It has been bandied around so much it’s fraying at the edges. And we still get it wrong.
It includes relating to others, the ability to stop for thirty seconds in the corridor and look into the eyes of the lowest subordinate, and “connect”. Plainly, to be interested in him, her, the baby that is due, the well-being of the person. A great boss understands the effect of emotional intelligence; they act and speak with integrity.
2. Be Fair. Equal treatment and fair treatment is not the same. And as much as the world clamours for equal treatment, on average it does not work because management has figured out how to hide behind equal treatment. Too often it means I don’t have to do anything special or out-of-place for anybody.
Not all employees are equal. Differences prescribe that some will bring more to the organisation. And some have need for a little more support at times. A great boss understands how to treat fairly, but not equally. And that employees will understand where the boundaries have been drawn.
3. Humility. A lack of humility will keep a boss from listening to employees. At all levels. It is easy to be humble with senior management and even peers. More difficult with people on lower levels. But there is a caveat. Respect. Great bosses will still have the respect of employees, and this comes through ethical actions – simple things like honesty, a show of integrity, humility, a keeper of commitments.
4. Responsibility. Leaders take responsibility for their actions. Own up to it and don’t blame others. There is a difference between an excuse and a reason. Do not confuse the two. Own up. Make right. Be an example of how it should be done.
And be a Great Ethical Boss.
Ethics & Leader- ship 