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.

M. David Dealy is Senior Vice President of Transportation for Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad.
Andrew R. Thomas, PhD, is assistant professor of international business and associate director of The Taylor Institute for Direct Marketing at University of Akron.

Foreword by Bill Lindig
What This Book Is About
The Importance of Great Bosses in Today's World
It All Starts with Vision
Do the Right Thing for the Right Reason
Set Your Expectations Higher Than Your Boss's Expectations for You
Never, Ever Make the Same Mistake Twice
Go to Your Boss with Your Action Plan
Follow-Up
The Great Boss as Team Builder
The Great Boss as Change Agent
Putting It All Together
Appendix: Internet Resource Guide