What makes a good leader?  I have been contemplating this thought as I have started working for a new place and a new boss.  This is the first boss I have had who seems to want more for his employees than we expect and want for ourselves.  He seems to really care what is going on our level, has a good sense of humor, and makes his presence known….it is a relief.  I think that most people want to know that they are backed up when they are trying to get a job done.  It makes it easier to think that you wont have to fight the upper levels when you get your task completed…that just maybe this time you wont get angry calls or emails saying that you aren’t doing a good enough job when you just went without sleep for a week to get something done that actually falls under their job description and responsibilities, not yours.  Its just nice to know that maybe somebody actually cares about what it’s like to be in the spot that you’re in, and are willing to work with you instead of just shoving you under the bus when things come in from a distance.

There are all kinds of leaders….of family, business, church, etc….but I think that most good leaders share a lot of the same qualities, and I for one am very glad that my new boss seems to be one of those people.  Not obsessed with what is best for him, or what will make him look better, but what will be best for everyone.  A lot of people will claim to be looking out for the best interest of the big picture, but I think that very few people do, especially in the business world.  I think that a lot of people are only looking to forward their own career, or make their own job more secure as the economy is still in the slump.