CAN YOU BE A BEST BOSS? Distilled from accounts of individual best boss stories, research and author experience, this book unlocks the powerful secrets of best boss leadership by providing a systemic approach for leading the best boss way. The authors also suggest strategies for reducing organizational barriers to successful leadership development. This book is offered for those who are looking to make a meaningful leadership difference in this challenging and chaotic world. It will inspire you to become the best possible boss you can be!

What makes a great boss? Bosses don't become great because of their title, rank, degree of authority, office size, or benefits package. Great bosses aren't even necessarily great managers. Instead, they possess a set of core competencies that set them apart from mere managers. The skill set of great bosses entails five qualities: they do the right thing for the right reason; they never make the same mistake twice; they set their personal expectations higher than those of their bosses; they go to their bosses with action plans, not problems; and they follow up. If a boss has only one of these characteristics, he or she is probably very successful. But application of all five defines what it means to be a great boss, to be successful in good times and bad, through change and adversity, and to be recognized as such by the people you work for-as well as by the people who work for you.

To help library managers improve their skills and acumen, renowned speaker and trainer Hakala-Ausperk presents a handy self-study guide to the dynamic role of being a boss.

The Great Boss Simple Success Formula: Companies Do What the Boss Does Groom 'Em, or Broom 'Em Hire Slow, Fire Fast Don't Be Tired The Rule of the Ds Delegate Down, Down, Down Don't Hire a Dog and Bark Yourself Don't Shoot from the Lip Never Be Little, Never Belittle Listen to Phonies, Fools, and Frauds Don't Check Expense Accounts "Quit" Is for Scrabble It's Okay to Be Quirky Did you ever have a great boss? Everyone should have one, but not enough people do. If you're a boss, or hope to become one, or have a less-than-great boss, then this is the book that could change your career--and your life. In times like these, being a great boss can be harder than ever. If you want surprising and useful advice on how to handle the tough stuff--from having to fire a long-time employee to being a new boss with a demoralized team--the stories, observations, and advice contained in this gem of a book will set your feet in the right direction. And if you just want advice on living up to the legend who preceded you in the job, or even ways to emulate someone who was a great boss to you, Jeffrey Fox has gathered anecdotes from some of the mightiest and most respected bosses in America. The bestselling author who brought you How to Become CEO and How to Become a Rainmaker knows the territory about which he speaks. Fox is the master of the counterintuitive angle. For every boss who has implied "I know what's best, that's why I'm the boss," Fox counsels, "Listen to Phonies, Fools, and Frauds" and "Don't Check Expense Accounts." His stories from bosses who have cared equally for employees' lives and the bottom line will inspire you to see that profit counts, but so do camaraderie, motivation, and a great place to work. In a time of considerable corporate downsizing, it's more important than ever for bosses to surround themselves with motivated employees. Jeffrey Fox's How to Become a Great Boss will have a place on the shelves of top brass everywhere who want to remain leaders of their pack.

A revised and updated omnibus edition of Jeffrey Fox's three classic business bestsellers, including a foreword and two brand new chapters! For years, business leaders, marketers, salespeople, and entrepreneurs have learned from and relied on the bestselling advice of Jeffrey J. Fox. Now his three most popular works, How to Become a Rainmaker, How to Become CEO, and How to Become a Great Boss, appear fully revised and updated for the first time together. A terrific resource for anyone looking to distinguish themselves in sales—be it books, cars, or real estate—How to Become a Rainmaker offers the opportunity to rise above the competition in any company, in any field. Filled with smart tips given in the Fox signature style, counter-intuitive, controversial, and practiced, this hard-hitting collection of sales advice shows readers how to woo, pursue, and finally win any customer. How to Become CEO teaches anyone how to climb the corporate ladder. Vision, persistence, integrity, and respect for everyone in the workplace—these are all qualities of successful leaders. And Fox brings specific and actionable tips for exemplifying them: never write a nasty memo, skip all office parties, and overpay your people. If you're looking to get to the top, this book is the place to start. If you're a boss, or hope to become one, or have a less-than-great boss, How to Become a Great Boss can change your career—and your life. With surprising and useful advice on how to handle the tough stuff—from having to fire a long-time employee to being a new boss with a demoralized team—the stories, observations, and advice contained in this gem of a book will set your feet in the right direction.

If your employees brought their "A-Game" to work every day, what would it mean for your company's performance? Studies have repeatedly shown that the majority of employees are disengaged at work. But it doesn't have to be this way. Often, the difference between a group of indifferent employees and a fully engaged team comes down to one simple thing—a great boss. In How to Be a Great Boss, Gino Wickman and Rene' Boer present a straightforward, practical approach to help bosses at all levels of an organization get the most from their people. They share time-tested tools that have worked for more than 30,000 bosses in every industry. You can learn to be a great boss—and dramatically improve both your organization's performance and your team's excitement about their work. In this book you will discover: How to surround yourself with great people How to make more effective use of your time The difference between leadership and management and why they're equally important The five leadership practices and five management practices of all great bosses How to create accountability How to develop productive, relationships with each of your people How to deal with direct reports that don't meet your expectations How to Be a Great Boss provides practical tools that you can apply immediately with your people, allowing you to focus on improving and growing your organization and truly enjoy what you do.

Over the last two decades, Mary Schmich’s biweekly column in the Chicago Tribune has offered advice, humor, and discerning commentary on a broad array of topics including family, milestones, mental illness, writing, and life in Chicago. Schmich won the 2012 Pulitzer for Commentary for “her down-to-earth columns that reflect the character and capture the culture of her famed city.” This book compiles her 10 Pulitzer-winning columns along with 154 others, creating a captivating collection that reflects Schmich’s thoughtful and insightful sensibility. Schmich’s 1997 “Wear Sunscreen” column (which has had a life of its own as a falsely attributed Kurt Vonnegut commencement speech) is included, as well as her columns focusing on the demolition of Chicago’s infamous Cabrini-Green housing project. One of the most moving sections is her 12-part series with US District Judge Joan Lefkow as the latter reflected on rebuilding her life after the horrific murders of her mother and husband. Throughout the book, Schmich reflects wisely and wryly on the world we live in, and her fond observances of Chicago life bring the city in all its varied character to warm, vivid life.