Good Boss, Bad Times on McKinsey Quarterly's Top Ten for 2009

Earlier in the year, some of you may recall that I published an article in the Harvard Business Review called "How to Be a Good Boss in a Bad Economy" and -- to my amazement -- the folks at the McKinsey Quarterly (who are sort of competitors with HBR)  not only posted a video interview with me about the article, when HBR published the article online, they provided a link to the McKinsey video and in turn McKinsey provided a link to the HBR story.  Well, McKinsey just announced that the video -- called Good Boss, Bad Times -- was among their most popular for 2009. The video is free, as McKinsey has a different business model than Harvard, which charges you for content (after giving you a free taste).

I thought the comments in response at McKinsey were most thoughtful. In particular, Frank Shoniker, who is President of SBT Media in Canada wrote in October, 2009:

Well, back on June 10th I commented on the emotion of dealing with having to let people go. Who knew that less than a month later it would be my turn! With an experience less than ideal, I can only offer advice on what makes a “good boss” vs. a “toxic boss”. I can sum it up in 6 questions: 1. Do you make decisions in isolation? 2. Do you have your staff’s “back”? 3. Do you put yourself in the “other guys shoes”? 4. Do you trust others? 5. Do you listen to the contrarians? 6. Are your ideas always the best? If you answered honestly, all you bosses out there, you will know where there are areas for improvement. I leave you with what I hope my staff continue to think about me, that I was predicable, understanding, that I gave them some control over their business lives, and that I was compassionate. At the end of the day we all have to live with ourselves.

I found this both brilliant and touching, and I appreciate Frank's willingness to share his wisdom.

As I look forward to the new year, I am hoping that things improve enough that, perhaps by Fall, that  I will be pitching articles and videos to places like HBR and McKinsey on "How to Be a Good Boss in a Good Economy."

P.S. It seems like there are still some free downloads left of the HBR article (they give a limited number to authors to give away).  Please let me know if it doesn't work and I will take down this note.  Try here for the pdf:

http://custom.hbsp.com/b01/en/implicit/p.jhtml?login=SUTT052609S&pid=R0906E

Comments

[Bob Sutton]

Check out this related story in the Des Moines Register, You Want to Get Leaner, Meaner, and Happier at Work, it is here http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20101170329

As the article argues, the rough times and rough treatment so many of us had in the process may help explain why "Workers in the United States are not happy. A recent survey by the Conference Board shows job satisfaction is the lowest since the group began keeping track in 1987. Only 45 percent of us are satisfied with our jobs, compared with 52 percent five years ago and 61 percent in 1987."

[Nick]

Its never easy to let someone go, regardless of the state of the economy. I recently had to let someone go who I'd been working with for over a year.. unfortunately, our friendship has not been the same since either.

[Randy Bosch]

McKinsey (for-profit) = Free content vs. Harvard U (not-for-profit)= Pay for content.
Think on these things.

[Sharon Markovsky]

Bob, thanks for the follow up to your story. I applaude Frank Shoniker for such thoughtful insight to what must have been a really horrible experience for him both professionally and personally. The fourth and fifth questions really resonated with me because I think that we often overlook these two very important questions when evaluating ourselves as leaders.

Thanks,
Sharon