1. A good boss should be considered a good friend by everyone who works for him.

2. An effective boss has to be a good communicator.

3. A boss should never change her mind once she makes a decision.

4. A boss should seek suggestions from employees about improving work processes.

5. An effective boss keeps a low profile.

6. Employees perform better if you provide opportunities to socialize and have fun at work.

7. Employees will automatically be happier if you just give them more money.

8. A boss should not hire subordinates who are more intelligent than he.

9. A boss need not worry about whether his employees have adequate time to spend with their families.

10. A boss should be involved in every little detail of her organization.

1. FALSE. Employees often have mixed emotions toward their bosses. But a boss shouldn’t spend his time worrying about being popular, or he will be afraid to make decisions that may be unpopular but are still sound.

2. TRUE. Some bad bosses hoard information on purpose, because they think this gives them more power. Some bad bosses don’t share information because they are just not effective speakers or writers. Either way, when employees don’t know what’s going on, they don’t know why they are doing what they’re doing. Their lack of purpose translates into lethargy.

3. FALSE. Changing your mind as shifting circumstances warrant, or when evidence indicates your initial plan was misguided, is a hallmark of flexibility and pragmatism. Both are desirable qualities in a leader.

4. TRUE. Employees are more satisfied and perform better when they participate in decisions regarding their work. Besides, no one knows better than the people on the front lines how their job should be done.

5. FALSE. To be effective, a boss must not only have a vision, but also be visible as she works to make that vision come true.

6. TRUE. Job performance goes up when people feel bonded to those they work with. Sharing good times builds team spirit.

7. FALSE. Job satisfaction does not depend on compensation (so long as compensation is fair) so much as it does on feeling that one is in a job where he is using his talents and achieving a meaningful goal.

8. TRUE. A good boss does not let his ego get in the way of hiring the best and the brightest.

9. FALSE. Employee performance and retention improves when workers are enabled to lead a more flexible balance of work and life.

10. FALSE. Being an effective leader is not about micromanaging. A good boss stays focused on the big picture, and leaves the workday details to trusted others on the front lines.

• If you matched 9-10 answers, you would be a very effective boss. You have the right priorities and a keen understanding of what people look for in a leader. Do all you can do to get your organization to recognize your potential—or look for an organization that will!

• If you matched 7-8 answers, you are almost—but not quite—ready to assume a leadership role. Review the responses where your answers diverged from the answer key, and make an effort to be more observant of workplace dynamics. Also, think about what you have learned from the bosses you’ve respected and admired.

• If you matched 6 or fewer answers, that suggests you’re not ready to be the boss yet. However, true leaders are made—not born. It would be a good idea for you to read some books and articles that contain the latest research on leadership, management skills, and employee satisfaction.