Defining a Great Boss/Employee Relationship

If you're reading this, you're likely seeking a better relationship with your boss or employee. While the dynamic is very much like a personal relationship between a boyfriend and girlfriend, or husband and wife: they both require maintenance and work. It's easy to state specific examples of things one can do to facilitate a great relationship with their employer or employee, but it's essential to define what a great relationship between the two actually looks like.

I'll list both important qualities in a good boss and then important qualities in a good employee.

Boss

Ability to Communicate Effectively

A good boss provides and allows feedback. They take their time with meetings and instructions to ensure the message has been delivered clearly. This boss also allows their employees to offer their opinions and highly values them.

Trust in Employees

No need to micro-manage or leer over an employee's shoulder to make sure they're on task. A good boss trusts that their employees are fully equipped to handle any job, yet remains available for assistance.

Leadership Skills

Not simply the ability to spout orders. This leader uses teamwork as the basis for their management style. They guide and encourage participation rather than dictate.

Flexibility

A great boss understands that things happen that we don't plan for. They remain flexible to changing situations both in work and life. They are revered as compassionate and empathetic to their employees and their real life situations.

Do What Needs to be Done

An excellent boss does what needs to be done when no one else can or will do it. This is a multi-faceted role. Whether it be discipline, recruitment, or simply filling in or adding a helping hand, a good boss will do it. They have the ability to handle problems diplomatically yet firmly.

Employee

Dependability

This is likely the most important trait in an employee. Knowing that your employee will show up every day on time and do his or her job well is priceless. This is of course exhibited over time, but is essential in creating a great boss/employee relationship.

Manageability

Being easy to work with is key. Your boss needs to be able to guide and direct you in your work endeavors; after all, he's your boss. If you're constantly resistant and grumpy about your boss's input and management, you're not likely to make any friends. Becoming adaptable and easy to manage makes you a superstar.

Team Player

Although closely related to manageability, being able to work with a team is just as important. Showing that you work well with others without distracting or causing conflict is highly desirable in any employee. Nobody likes a problem starter, so your ability to work effectively with a team will prove helpful in a boss/employee relationship.

Self Reliant

This is something both you and your boss have in common. It's important for an employee to be able to solve problems on their own as well as make decisions without asking for the boss's help. The boss will expect you to anticipate daily problems or tasks and complete them with little to no help or guidance. The employee will have to be resourceful and improvise in the face of a dilemma.

It's very rare that a relationship will last on good terms between an employee and boss when only one is putting enough attention and effort into it. It's important that both do their part to maintain a successful dynamic with each other and that they exhibit all or most of the qualities listed here.