Management Advice: What Kind of Boss Are You?

Bosses come in many varieties, all with unique strengths and weaknesses. Here are the 12 most common types of bosses. Do you recognize yourself, or someone you know?

-- Geoffrey James (Twitter: @Sales_Source)

• Description: You're all about the future and where you can take the company.
• Strength: You create a reality-distortion field that makes people believe they can do the impossible.
• Weakness: You get impatient with anybody who can't help make your vision into reality.
• Role Model: Steve Jobs

• Description: You believe that following the rules will lead to gradual success.
• Strength: You're predictable, straightforward and generally easy to work for and with.
• Weakness: You tend to micromanage and lose track of the "big picture."
• Role Model: Dilbert's PHB (Pointy-Haired Boss)

• Description: You're all about winning, regardless of who gets in your way.
• Strength: You can be incredibly charming--and your team always wins turf battles.
• Weakness: You'll (figuratively) stab employees and colleagues in the back when it suits your purpose.
• Role Model: Cruella De Vil

• Description: You were an engineer--and a good one--before you were promoted.
• Strength: You've got world's best BS detector, especially during meetings with marketing.
• Weakness: You keep using references to Star Trek and Star Wars during business discussions.
• Role Models: Bill Gates

• Description: You've been around since the days of the three-martini lunch.
• Strength: You've seen it all and know how the system works.
• Weakness: You keep telling the same "war stories" over and over and over ...
• Role Model: Jack Welch

• Description: You're all about "consensus building" and "creating a community."
• Strength: You get everyone's input before making a decision.
• Weakness: You delay making any decision that might make somebody unhappy.
• Role Models: Ben and Jerry

• Description: You broke all the records and won major business ... back when you were in sales.
• Strength: You know how to sell and aren't shy about sharing your opinion.
• Weakness: You want to close deals yourself, rather than help your employees close them.
• Role Model: Ahem--you know who you are.

• Description: You absolutely believe that management means "command and control."
• Strength: Nobody needs to wait for you to make a decision.
• Weakness: Your conviction that you're always right alienates your employees.
• Role Models: Benito Mussolini

• Description: You're a powderkeg of anger just waiting to explode.
• Strength: You look placid and peaceful ... from a distance, when dormant.
• Weakness: Walking on eggshells makes it hard for employees to be productive.
• Role Model: Mr. Spacely

• Description: You got over-promoted and now have no idea what to do.
• Strength: You're willing to depend upon the advice of your employees.
• Weakness: You're rapidly losing the respect of everyone on the team.
• Role Models: Ashley Wilkes

• Description: You're competent and knowledgeable, yet easy to work with.
• Strength: You make your team successful as you make yourself successful.
• Weakness: You're as rare as a diamond in a slag heap.
• Role Model: Captain Jean-Luc Picard

-- Geoffrey James, @Sales Source

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