Don't bark yourself

For many of us, our manager has a huge impact on our day-to-day work experience.

Bad ones make the Sunday Scaries even more dreadful. Good ones feel like wind beneath your wings.

So what makes a good manager?

• Thoughtful Editor: Your manager is the first to see your work, and the way they give feedback is so important. The good ones spend extraordinary amount of time pouring over your output to make it shine: with revisions, annotations and questions.

• Safety, not intimidation: Things will go wrong at work; it’s not a matter of if but when. Not-so-good managers make you sweat before every meeting. Better ones can create pockets of security, letting openness and honesty be the bedrock of the relationship.

• A Long Leash: Your were hired for a reason. Why not go out and deliver greatness? Awesome managers know that. They trust their team to do their job without getting in their business. A funny quote: “Don’t hire a dog so you can bark yourself.”

I hope many of us have the chance to work for great people, and if given the chance, manage people with grace.