What do you want from your boss? Chances are it's a little bit more than just a pat on the back and a box of chocolates at Christmas. But do you want the same things as the people sat around you? Or, for that matter, as the rest of the UK workforce?
The ideal boss
first direct's recent Colourful Lives survey asked employees from a range of sectors what they thought were the most valuable qualities in a manager – and it turns out most of us are seeking the same thing.
Topping the list was approachability, with 83% of those surveyed saying this was important. As anyone who has worked for an unapproachable boss can attest, this is a key quality for a manager and something which really can make a difference to your working life.
Second most important, with 82% of respondents citing it, was the skill of good communication. In our increasingly screen-led world, communication is more vital than ever and yet something many bosses struggle with. Talking often takes a back seat as firing off an email becomes the default setting.
Although 81% of those questioned also said they wanted their boss to be supportive, being a good leader also ranked highly with 80% of those surveyed saying it was important. These findings clearly signal that employees want a caring and sharing boss as well as someone who can give the orders and get the team moving in the right direction.
Finally, 76% of employees surveyed said that they wanted a boss who respects the individuality of their staff members.
The reality
Unfortunately, these on-paper perfect bosses are difficult to find in the real world. Although approachability was seen as a crucial quality, only 50% of respondents said their boss was approachable; while just 28% said their boss fulfilled the desired criteria of being a good communicator.
Perhaps even more worryingly, only 38% of respondents said their boss was supportive, suggesting that there are a lot of uncaring, unsympathetic bosses out there. Additionally, just 31% of bosses were perceived as good leaders and only 36% were seen as respecting their staff as individuals.
Overall it seems that there are many average bosses around who could look to improve on their approachability, communication and leadership skills while being mindful of treating their staff as individuals.
Best Boss: does your manager deserve the title?
If you're lucky enough to work for someone who bucks this trend, who listens to your needs, helps you to solve your problems and points you in the right direction, then it's time to show them how much you appreciate their work. If you believe your boss is the UK's best, simply tell us why in 200 words or less and they could win £1,000 worth of Virgin vouchers, which we suggest they put towards a well-deserved Virgin Holidays break. And to thank you for your nomination, you'll win a Samsung GALAXY Tab.
