The Best Kind of Bosses.

 

Happy Boss’s Day.

POINT TO PONDER: “The best kind of people (Bosses, Mentors, and Friends) are those who come into your life, and make you see the sun where you once saw clouds. People who believe in you so much that you start to believe in you too. They are once in a lifetime type of people."

Story Line: A few years ago a former work colleague from China visited our place with her teenage son who had just completed the summer program at Stanford. As we were shooting the breeze in the backyard, Harry- the young man asked if I could share some lessons learnt from my time in Industry.

I have been incredibly fortunate to have met many kind, caring and helpful people in my career (Work Colleagues, Bosses and their Bosses, Supplier and Customer Representatives). Every encounter resulted in either a new friendship and/or some good learning experience.  I have shared many of these experiences in Friday Reflections over last 15 years. Today, on The Boss’s day, I would like to share the ones I told Harry (which were appropriate for his age and his immediate future) that I learnt from my Bosses and Mentors.

For every lesson below, I shared stories behind them with Harry. The Young Man seemed happy and, as the reward, recommended an Indian movie Dangal (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5074352/) that was popular in China.

Here are the key lessons from the stories I shared with Harry.

1. Ask one more question Try one more time. I was admitted for four years Bachelor in EE degree program at USC. A year and half later, I had graduated with Masters’ degree in EE and got a job in emerging industry in tough economic times. Ask One More Question
2. Being able to work with people was most important part of my success. Its’ people who make things happen not machines or algorithms.
3. Most important business relations are personal ones.
4. When you go to do one thing, come back with three. Complete the task you went for, develop new friendships and observe and learn from surroundings.
5. We get paid for solving real problems of our stakeholders (customers, investors and employees), not just reporting them or delivering  tools.
6. Learn from the mistakes/experiences of others. You will have plenty of time to make your own. Find a Mentor.
7. A desk is a dangerous place to view the world.
8. The best part of learning is doing.
9. Never have an attitude: "It’s not my job, they don’t pay me for it." Capitalize on every opportunity to earn good will, learn new things and develop new contacts.
10. Treat your job as your own business. Someone has put trust in you for the job. Be frugal, efficient in resource utilization, treat every individual with respect, be solution driven and don’t let go an opportunity (evaluate and if you cannot, refer someone else who can- will demonstrate your commitment to help and establish goodwill).

Reflection: On this auspicious day, I like to share the story about another great boss: Joe Zelayeta, a great human being I was fortunate to have as my Boss in the first company. 

His management philosophy was learned from sports, which he dearly loved and played through college. He not only taught me valuable lessons about work but also more valuable things about life. He came to Immigration with me for my Green Card call and when the Immigration officer asked me to leave the country (due to company’s HR error) he contacted the state department through our corporate office to find solution. He also took care of my entire trip logistics and expenses to bring me back. Later that year when I went to Philippines to get married, he and his boss (John East) made sure that my air ticket was covered, salary was on, and when I checked out of the hotel, the bill was covered. 

Years later, when I had called him and recounted my memories, and thanked him, this is what he said: "Good employees are hard to find. So I did everything possible to….. 

He is long retired but if he ever called me and asked me to work for him again you can guess what my answer is going to be: please read the full story in the link below....

https://fridayreflections.typepad.com/weblog/2017/10/good-employees.html

Comments

[Comments from previous posting of Good Employees are hard to find reflection]

comments in the original 2013 posting
Very nice and touching story. Hope all of us can be so fortunate.
Posted by: Jill | October 11, 2013 at 05:34 PM

Is this real?
I have heard such stories from "old timers". Where have such people gone?
Posted by: Curious | October 11, 2013 at 07:09 PM

Nice to know some more about your younger days. One really needs to be lucky have nice people around. But one has a choice to be oneself.
One question - what is a penpal? And how did you have one at that age in india? I remember a friend if mine mentioning when we were. In school.
Your attitude really disguises your age. Did not realize you have worked for 38 years.
Posted by: From Lion City (Singapore) | October 12, 2013 at 06:26 AM

1. that’s such a heartwarming story. Thanks for making a great start to my Saturday morning. And thanks for the reminder for Bosses Day.
2. I have learned so much over the years from your column.
Regards and Thank you.You have a wonderful Bosses Day!
3. That one kind of got me “teary-eyed”. It made me remember a couple great coaches, a few great teachers and even an NCO, (non-commissioned officer commonly known as a “Sergeant”), that treated me with respect and helped make me a better athlete, student and man respectively.Just wanted to say thanks for your words of wisdom and encouragement over the years.
Posted by: friends (recieved by email. Posted by FR team) | October 12, 2013 at 09:08 AM

this story remind me of two previous stories
Good teachers teach from the heart not books
and
To Sir With Love
Having good, caring boss like Mr.Joe Z make big productive improvement. also winning team of motivated employees.
Posted by: Takahashi | October 13, 2013 at 07:19 AM

Thanks for sharing!
It reminds me my old days too. And my glory and success were when I was in the line and discussed with people there to solve problems as an engineer.
My first boss taught me even very tribial things such as how to use 'To' and 'cc' list in an email, and why simple summary should come first with organized template to make it easy to see for others and management, etc.
It's a shame and regret that I didn't ask him to meet and talk even though I know where he is and we can meet...
Posted by: JM | October 13, 2013 at 05:46 PM

Thanks for sharing such a wonderful story.
Posted by: PPS | October 14, 2013 at 12:02 AM

One really has to be lucky to find such mentors. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: SC | October 14, 2013 at 04:58 PM

Nice story. I was out all last week in PA so I missed much of my reading, although I did do much shooting.
Posted by: EastCoast | October 14, 2013 at 05:02 PM

Interesting point, I recently ran into one of those people myself, so I have a vivid example of what you are talking about.

Posted by: MAT pioneer | October 15, 2013 at 07:57 AM

A good boss, a caring leader, who can believe in his people and focus on extending their capabilities and achievements, rather than crushing them for their mistakes, is more important than a high salary. (By many orders of magnitude). I am very thankful for many bosses that have helped me in my life.
Posted by: microCEO | October 18, 2013 at 06:23 PM

Posted by: comments in the original 2013 posting | October 12, 2017 at 08:18 PM

Raymond C Pineda
Leadership pipeline!

Anand - From my perspective, seems like Joe Z "passed a baton" to you. And you, in turn, "accepted that baton" and have "passed a few batons forward" to others. In time, we will see who "accepted their baton" from you and "passed it forward" to others.

Posted by: Raymond C Pineda | October 12, 2017 at 09:25 PM

JM
It reminds me two bosses that I encountered who provided similar experiences and learning.

My very first manager gave most of my knowledge in this industry and how to work as engineer. And your experiences are very similar to mine in his way of doing the job.

The other manager, Philippines lady, she helped me a lot in my first days in the new company and led me quickly familiarized with new environment. Caring and warm comments, when we met through IM late night, she asked me to go to bed while she was also working.

Posted by: JM | October 12, 2017 at 09:43 PM

BR
Wonderful! He must have been a real mentor for you. And you must have been a very productive employee. It is a great human interest story, more because you met your future wife in the process. Congratulations!

Posted by: BR | October 12, 2017 at 10:45 PM

Long time student
Anand, You have done similar things for a lot of people including me and become a role model for being a leader. Without you pushing, I would never have shared leadership stories and in process learn to become one. I echo Ray here!

Posted by: Long time student | October 12, 2017 at 10:59 PM

CH
I see sweet love story inside a good boss story. :)

Posted by: CH | October 12, 2017 at 11:42 PM

Humble Warrior
finding a good employee is rare.... finding a good employer is rare... a perfect work marriage is when those two find eachother... a mutual, relentless, humble approach type bond that soars to new heights. I pray we all find more of there work marriages :)

Posted by: Humble Warrior | October 13, 2017 at 08:17 AM

Joalica
This is such a warm story. I really like this quote a lot "The best kind of people (Bosses, Mentors, Friends) are those who come into your life, and make you see the sun where you once saw clouds. People who believe in you so much, that you start to believe in you too. They are once in a lifetime type of people." I would fully echo with Ray that you absolutely passed on that caring and love to make an significant impact to a lot of people's work and life including myself as a fearless leader full of wisdom!! you led us to grow with empowerment and trust so we're not afraid of failure during the course of exploring new arena. Your mentor and coaching reach really far even to next gen. My son still remembers your words of wisdom as golden career advice to him when we were at your home, about People, Corp, Culture blend. He also proudly shared this with his friends all the way from the other side of the world. I am so fortunate to meet you as my Mentor, my "贵人" in Chinese! So the baton is passed on further :-)

Posted by: Joalica | October 16, 2017 at 04:56 PM

[sujat]

Wonderful! I like the 10 points to keep in mind. Particularly no.10.

A really warm story that reinforces the sanctity of a respectful and thankful employer-employee relationship. 😊🙏

[ET]

Thank you very much,Anand for these wise n practical tips ! Am goin to share these to my kids...hope they learn n hv a successful career n life as yours...💕

[Oregonian]

The best Boss, Mentor and a dear friend. That’s you to us.

[Sam]

HI Anand, I have taken these words of wisdom in my work and it has had an amazing effect to see. Each of the lessons have come from the crucible of real life experiences so it is worth sharing to the next generation and beyond! Thank you!

[Tino Friscic]

Nice story...you are a shining example how being good and hardworking pays off in the end 😊

[Yi]

It is really true. You are one of the best mentors.

[Thomas]

The best boss is the one who sees something in you that you didn't know was there.

[BHSC]

Those are some great pieces of advice… thanks for sharing!

All the best

[Santosh]

You have been very lucky to have met good mentors, that are hard to find in today’s corporate world .👏👏

[HUMBLE WARRIOR]

I was going to reply with my favorite nugget of wisdom from lessons learned list... but they are all are just too good... THANK YOU!

[Carol]

Good bosses and good employees are both hard to find. Put them together and Bang, you have a great company! In turn, everyone's lives gets enriched.

[Sansu Ros]

Mr Cipriano my Boss and my Mentor 1975 to 1985 his the best 😍😍

[Anand ( a note from Joe, my boss mentioned in the reflection)]

A note from Joe. His humility is an inspiration

Hello Anand,
You are much too kind. Being a smart, good engineer (and later manager & leader) that paid attention to detail, listened to his colleagues, was a hard worker and team player makes good things happen for you. You earned the great career you had through these and many other attributes.
Best regards,
Joe