Interviewing for supervisor position, advice about "being the boss"?

[mrgreen4242]

OK, I have an interview to become a supervisor of 6 to potentially 9 people and several projects and programs. It's a first level management job, and my first time with a management opportunity. They're only interviewing two candidates and I'm the only internal promotion so I feel confident about my chances as I'm also a good interviewee (I actually just hired in about 7-8 months ago so I've recently done the whole interview process).

Here's the advice part: what are the best and worst qualities of bosses you've had?

 

[JNB]

Good: Give an assignment with clear parameters
Bad: Define the parameters to the point of might-as-well-do-it-yourself

Good: Showing a temper when you're not really mad (see Bull Durham)
Bad: Showing a temper when you are mad

Good: Praise in public, berate in private
Bad: Berating publicly, never praising

Good: Keeping an even strain
Bad: Total unpredictability

Good: Being friendly
Bad: Being their friend

Good: Making sure you notice and reward exceptional performance
Bad: Not having the balls to discipline poor performance

Good: Being a decent fellow because it comes naturally
Bad: Being a decent fellow because you read it in a book

Good: Being willing to chip in to help meet a team goal
Bad: Always having to chip in because you're a soft touch

Good: Positive news is a result of your boss (This is called "being a team player")
Bad: Bad news is a result of your boss (This is called "taking ownership of the message")

 

[r.j.s]

Always follow up on tasks you give: What gets checked, gets done.

 

[mrgreen4242]

Good advice, I will keep it all in mind if things go well, which I have a good feeling they will.

I had a boss recently, r.j.s., who used to carry around a little black book where he'd write down things he told you to do and then he'd cross them off or highlight them or something when you did it. Your advice reminded me of that. I found it kind of annoying, but I can see how, from his POV, it was probably very helpful.

Thanks!

 

[patrick0brien]

Balance the terrible threesome:
Manage to get the job done,
Coach people to completing the job, and
Lead people to want to do the job with you.