When I think back to my better bosses they had the following characteristics:
- Understood what I brought to the group
- Assigned me tasks that were interesting
- Assigned me tasks that were challenging
- Gave me opportunities to grow
- Promoted my achievements up
- Let me know what I needed to do for advancement
- When tasks were achieved fought for my promotion
I wish that group still existed, it was the best, and I see pieces of what we built all over the company.
Over on Mini-Microsoft, Mini said:
I would be delighted beyond all measures if, instead of a blog about complaining about all the everyday crap people go through, there was a blog bragging about the great managers and the great groups we have. Eh, make it internal if you want. Sure, people will complain about sycophants and all that. I trust you to be bright enough to see through that. Cut out the bad by supporting - and putting a spotlight on - the good.
Well said, both should be discussed so that the good will get better and the bad will be influenced to leave. The current problem is that finding a group with a good reputation is easy, but past group performance may not be an indicator of future success. Management changes all the time, so it is important to know names of good managers you will directly work for or all bets are off.