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Rare Good Bosses

After posting my last little self-indulgent recap, I had an idea. We all share stories about the terrible ways our bosses constantly attempt to crush our souls into a fine powder and snort it off of a hooker's ass. Let's switch gears and try to remember those managers, supervisors, and other higher-ups that are, or seem to be, decent, competent, and diligent. Rare as they are in our American service economy, these people deserve to be appreciated.

I had many terrible managers during my tenure in the food service industry, but I had one store manager who really seemed to have a talent for balancing the welfare of his employees against the wishes of his bosses and customers. This is especially notable since these factors directly contradict each other, especially in a high-volume restaurant. Since he was really good at training, every employee was confident and empowered in their ability to handle every circumstance, with a large and well-trained management team backing them up. Food quality and proportion was always in line, so lectures regarding these issues were very rare, if not non-existent. Since it was always so busy, everybody got all the hours they wanted, without having to give up important events at home. Because sales were high and complaints low, evaluations and raises were given fairly and regularly. Because of all these factors, employee morale was high.

When this restaurant opened, it was a brand new building, a brand new crew, and old-guard assistant and shift managers.
When this store manager took over, he turned a mediocre chain restaurant into a $32,000-a-week, well-oiled machine.

As a result, he was given a $60,000-a-year salary and free reign on what hours he wanted to work.

He is now an Area Manager on the other side of the state.

I know all this sounds far-fetched, but I swear it's true. These kinds of bosses are rarer than the chupacabra, but they're out there. Does anyone else have a story?

Hope Floats and So Does Shit.

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Yes, I do
Submitted by Bent II on Sun, 07/01/2007 - 22:02.

I have worked for many ehtical people...with good intentions. Unfortunately, it was the people they put in charge to carry out those intentions that so frequently abused their power.
My main complaint has always been with those people, not the ones running the show. Problem is, they can't be everywhere at once and they can't be sympathetic to ALL complaints ALL the time. Or even be aware of what is going on in the trenches 24/7.
I consider the people who actually run the company I work for now to be very good people with a vision for the company that includes everyone, from the lowest to the highest. They are ehtical, fair and try to make sure no one gets pissed on. While of course making money which is what they are in business to do.
That is a heavy load.
The problem is the people who they have put in charge. In hindsight they may regret some of their decisions, I'm sure.
Even at my last place of employment, where I was unceremoniously canned, I still don't harbour any resentment for the owner. Except that the owner was an "absentee owner" putting his faith and trust in the wrong people.
Good Managers are few and far between. I have worked for a few though, over the years and I guess its easy to forget those positive experiences.

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I had a good boss
Submitted by wolfietherat on Mon, 07/02/2007 - 13:08.

I didn't realize it until later. He was smart, really. He was the easiest boss because you knew exactly what was expected. Craige had a way of breaking everything down to measurable goals. I wish I could work for him today.

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ok my previous boss was good
Submitted by chanonnkum on Fri, 07/13/2007 - 10:15.

ok my previous boss was good
1 in a million

he paid $5000 deposit for my car. and for other 4 colleagues also
he pays the monthly installment (for 14 months until company closed and he went to china)
when company closed, he gave me 5 month advanced for the car payment plus compensation for my job loss. we were all treated to sydney trip last year, stayed at four seasons hotel, overlooking opera house. there, he treated us luxurious dinners, the harbour bridge climb (fucking AUD$350 each just to climb) etc...

he didn't have to give anything for the car, it was not official, no contract or anything. but he did, from his own pocket

this year, he treated us luxuriouos stay at macau, as farewell vacation. I had 1 room for my self, the others, 2 person each room. Wind Club Macau. 1 Room cost USD$1100 a night. gave each of us US$500 to play in casino.

And I was allowed to have mohawk hair, even as a programmer

fun days is over for me *sob*

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The only reason a boss is goo
Submitted by Xstate on Fri, 07/13/2007 - 16:35.

The only reason a boss is good is because he/she/whatever is one of the few people in this country that has something called social skills. The majority of management I've dealt with in and out of work are morons; they are promoted because they kissed the head honcho's ass or they are well liked by the boss. If companies really promoted by merit and ability, then why are most companies run like shit nowadays?

Of course, if your boss loves you, then that's great. I never had a boss that loved me......that sucks.

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