"Scorpios, born on November 16, have the ability to transcend their everyday experiences, gaining wisdom through encounters with others. They may seem wise beyond their years. Their stern attitude makes them appear humourless, yet they have a wonderful personality. They are self-effacing. When they display their less complicated side, they are likable."
Happy Birthday...
I have no idea if it is true. Scorpio bosses seem like a good thing to me. 'Gaining wisdom' and 'wise beyond their years'.
Humourless... don't like the idea of that.
What do we really want from a boss? What do you want from your boss and if you are the boss, what do people want from you? How many times have I written bosses should create the time and space for good people to do great things.
But, there is more. We've gone through the stage where we looked for strong bosses. Anyone can shout. Good bosses are confident enough in themselves to have confidence in the people they have doing the job. They don't have to shout.
There are some things you never want to hear from your boss. And, if you are the boss, some things you never want to hear yourself saying. For instance:
I don't pay you to think! Often said in jest but it has an edge of truth to it. Why do they say it? It is because they lack confidence. Secretly they are worried that you might out-think them. Be smarter than them.
I want to work with people who think. I want people who are smarter than me. Recruit people who are not as good as you and step forward and take the blame. Hire people better than you, step back and take the credit.
How about; 'I don't make the rules'. Then what do you make? The tea? This takes us to the very heart of culture in the NHS; handed down policies that don't work, give us organisations that don't work. Being able to discuss policy, have an opinion, talk it over with the boss is what organisational culture is all about. Are you a boss who listens?
Changing culture is a huge job but changing the environment is a lot easier. All managers create their own eco-structure and their own climate. You can make your own weather. It is a boss's job to speak up and speak out.
I don't care how, just get it done! This is said by a boss that is saying; I'm too busy, too stressed, too stupid to know what to do. I can't help. That is neither leadership nor management.
'This has to be done and I don't know how were going to do it, so let's go through it together and figure it out'... comes from a boss who is self-assured, confident in their ability to bring out the best in their people.
That's your personal problem, not mine. Wrong, wrong, wrong. People want to work for people who are interested in them for more that the next report, or the next spreadsheet. Prying is one thing, being prepared to listen and help, offer a word of advice is something else.
'I can see you're not your usual self, is there anything I can do?' is a great opener.
If you don't want the job, I'll find someone that does. Bully bosses work for bully bosses. Break the cycle. All bullies are cowards at heart. They fear for their job and they want you to fear for yours, too.
'Of course I want the job, I love what I do but I don't love being threatened, so stop it.'
You don't have to go to Africa to make changes, run a marathon to make things different or climb Everest to make the world better. You could but you don't have to. You can do important things right where you work.
If you can do a small thing different on Monday then you've made a change for Tuesday. Change something else on Tuesday and Wednesday will be better. Change a small thing every day and the week becomes a great week. String together four great weeks and the next thing you have is a great month.
Today is the first day of the rest of your life. Have a great day! 
