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October 16 is Boss’s Day, and it got us thinking about the purpose of the day and what lessons can be learned from this holiday. In addition to growing their organizations, truly great bosses also develop their most valuable asset, their workers! With professional development in mind, we considered what behaviors great leaders demonstrate in hopes of offering some insight to ambitious workers who aspire to become the boss.

If you are interested in moving up the company ladder, there are some behaviors, responsibilities, and actions required of successful bosses for you to consider. The best bosses focus on assuring their clients/customers are satisfied, and they cultivate and empower their employees. Bosses not only need to “talk the talk,” they also need to “walk the talk,” modeling the values of their organization, using sound judgement, and demonstrating a willingness to collaborate with all levels of staff and take on more responsibilities. Of course, in order to remain on top of their game, the most accomplished bosses always further their education: reading about industry trends, attaining advanced degrees and certifications, and capitalizing on experiential learning opportunities.

For further advice on becoming a boss, we asked our executive team: “What traits/characteristics are most important to you when advancing or hiring someone as a manager?” Their answers were both insightful and directive:

“I try to hire people who are smarter than I am and who can bring skills, insights, and perspectives that are different from my own.” – Grace Powers, President and Chief Executive Officer

“I try to hire managers with integrity and who are passionate about work.” – Khalid Qazi, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

“I look for individuals who demonstrate a great sense of personal accountability; those who view their work as both a reflection and extension of themselves.” – Kristen Cullotta, Vice President of Marketing and Development

“When hiring someone as a manager, I look for individuals who seek diversity and inclusion.  I find this develops a team that is open minded and embraces differences not only in cultural acceptances but in thought processes.” – Patricia Wilkins, Vice President of Workforce Development

“I have promoted people from within that identify a problem and come up with solutions. It’s okay to make mistakes as long as you acknowledge the error and work on a new solution.” – Andi Drileck, Vice President of Workforce Services

“Characteristics I look for in people are self-motivated, team players who are optimistic, respectful, flexible and can remain calm under pressure. The ability to think outside of the box, letting their folks make and learn from mistakes are all desirable management traits as well.” – Tom Jurlina, Chief Information Officer

“I ask myself one question: ‘Would I ever want to work for them?'” – Bridget Altenburg, Chief Operating Officer

“To promote someone from within, I look for someone with a proven track record of effectively communicating and interacting with co-workers and managers.” – Maureen Wilson, Vice President of Human Resources

In the spirit of the holiday, we wish the executive team at Able a heartfelt Happy Boss’s Day and thank you for sharing your insights! And for all of the aspiring bosses out there, we hope this blog has given you a better understanding of what it takes to be a great boss and how to achieve your goal.

At Able, we help make careers happen! If you’re interested in seeking assistance in advancing your career, contact us at 855.994.8300 or visit www.nationalable.org today.