If you are looking for a quick read on how to become a “good enough” boss—one that doesn’t inspire ridicule behind your back, well, you’ve come to the wrong place. Ferguson, Pristo, and Furcon set a much higher bar as they successfully distill the qualities and behaviors that distinguish extraordinary leaders from the rest of the pack. Their survey and related thinking focus on the women and men, from frontline supervisors to CEOs, who transcend their roles—shaping the very culture of the organizations they serve. Their positive influence on the individuals they manage is often surprisingly palpable and profoundly durable—they tend to leave an unforgettable mark. They are, by nature, talent magnets and talent actualizers, and it turns out there is a whole lot to learn from taking a closer look at how they succeed.
This work is clearly near and dear to the authors, which makes it all the more compelling. Each brings with them an entire career’s worth of experience in studying, influencing, and indeed being led by the entire gamut of bosses, both strong and not-so-strong. Based on their survey results, which provide inspirational stories and powerful examples, they lay out a five-factor framework that is at once simple to grasp, yet profound in its impact. The pieces of the puzzle they identify are interdependent and complementary, transcending organizational settings, leadership levels and era. And, when they speak about “igniting the entire system,” true magic emerges! Furthermore, they validate this model with related thinking from decades past. The good news is that reading “Best Boss! The Impact of Extraordinary Leaders” will most certainly inspire action. At the onset of the first page to the back cover, you’ll be challenged constantly to engage in self-reflection and, more importantly, to do something different. The coaching they offer meets you where you are—early in your journey, or well down the path. All can benefit.
If you have managed to cross paths with a Best Boss, you have certainly been fortunate. You know firsthand how engaging and inspiring leaders like this can be. We need many more of them—now more than ever. Given the plethora of titles out there in the “make-a-better-leader” industry that don’t exactly live up to their promise, it’s about time one shoots for the stars and actually hits the mark.
Carl Robinson, PhD
Founding Partner, Vantage Leadership Consulting
Chicago, Illinois