Very true, Reba. I sometimes feel that had Big Brother Cat had a better role model in the earlier stages of his career, he would have been a better leader. For sure he arranged to take the entire team out for a wonderful lunch after the assignment at one of the most expensive and happening restaurants in town at the time to acknowledge our work but even then, the Mice were worried if they should be happy or not. A lesson for every professional who dreams of being the boss his team remembers later in life – for the right reasons, of course!

Thank you Julia! Leaders who lead by inspiration are always better than those who rely on authority.

My pleasure, Susan! We are often our worst critics. It’s good to know that your boss is finally learning to be appreciative of you!

I love the way you have captured the essence of the qualities that it takes to be a good leader and to demonstrate Executive Presence. Without a cohesive and happy team, there can’t be a true leader, just a Big Brother Cat whipping galley mice into working. 🙂

I’ve seen some completely incompetent get promoted to positions that were not meant for them and then watch Murphy’s Law kick in big time, Marquita. The consequences for the organization have included good people leaving with damage control measures being implemented after the event.

These Big Brother Cat type of Managers do have a learning lesson for us, though. When we don’t know what kind of a leader we want to be or are challenged by abstract notions, it’s easier to zero in on what we don’t want to be and then reframe them in more positive and empowering words.

You’ve been blessed during your career, Beverley, by not facing the Big Brother Cat type of boss. As young careerists, we are impressionable and emulate ur role models during the later part of our careers. When our role model is a bad one, one of 2 things happens. We either go into a reactionary mode and become the complete reverse of the original role model or believe that because we had a hard time, others should do. Quite rightly, fear is at the core of the latter type of boss.

If only professionals would understand that a rising tide raises all ships. Then we could all have great work experiences like you mentioned. Thanks for adding more insight to the conversation!

But I have to say that I learned more from him about the type of manager I did not want to be than from all of the others, so there was that.