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The week is a trashfire and I have spent time complaining about a bad boss on this here twitter. Time to maintain balance and talk about a good boss. I am, in fact, going to share a story about the person who was most probably the best boss I'll ever have. His name is Jerry.
Jerry was my manager when I worked at Radioshack. This store, for anyone who doesn't remember, is the place you went to buy batteries, weird electronics components, clear plastic landline phones with neon lights in them, etc.
It paid on commission. Selling batteries. Nearly everybody working there, across the region, made minimum wage and no more.
That job was the only thing between me and a leave of absence from school due to no money for tuition. I averaged over $18/hr. Worked nearly full time.
That job was the only thing between me and a leave of absence from school due to no money for tuition. I averaged over $18/hr. Worked nearly full time.
Jerry was the store manager, and an extremely good one. He was also a brilliant salesman, and the good kind who made sure his customers were still going to feel good about what happened when he got a hold of them days and weeks later.
Radioshack was a neighborhood store. Buyer's remorse *would* wind up being your problem. Specifically, it would be his problem, because he was the manager. So he did not push tactics or approaches that were going to lead to buyer's remorse.
He also fundamentally understood that his people were humans. One summer week he only scheduled me for 20 hours. Me, who often did over 35 when classes were in session.
"You're burning out and I don't want you to quit," was his explanation when I objected. He was 100000% right.
"You're burning out and I don't want you to quit," was his explanation when I objected. He was 100000% right.
Jerry was the one who pointed out to me that I absolutely cannot stand to be told something I already know. I knew I found it annoying when people patronized me, but had not noticed that I *always* hear repeated information as patronizing.
He did it so I'd stop getting snippy about interactions only meant to be helpful. It worked. To this day I'll catch myself when I'm unreasonably annoyed by information rehash. This absolutely makes me a better, more pleasant person to interact with.
Once, a coworker lifted $20 from the cash drawer, and when Jerry confronted her about it, suggested me as the culprit. He laughed and said, "If she knocks us over, we're losing everything and nothing will ever implicate her."
I appreciated the respect he showed me in that moment. He knew I would. That's why he told me about it.
The thing is, Jerry didn't have to be a good boss. That was literally the only job I could have and also manage to stay in school, and he knew it. I kept some truly awful jobs before finding that one.
I walked out of that job sick to death of selling batteries. Absolutely done with working retail.
But also, very savvy and honed at sales. Much more aware about how I work & react & perceive things. Better at being a team member & also productively pushing back on nonsense.
But also, very savvy and honed at sales. Much more aware about how I work & react & perceive things. Better at being a team member & also productively pushing back on nonsense.
I've had other good bosses, but Jerry was my first good boss, and consequently, he's my template for what being a good boss even is.
And Jerrys are lamentably rare. I meet soooo many people who've never had one, and I get sooo cranky.
And Jerrys are lamentably rare. I meet soooo many people who've never had one, and I get sooo cranky.
Not every boss has to be brilliant, or brilliant for you. But if they aren't, more often than not, making you better? Looking out for the long term? Trusting that if you need a day sorting inventory in the back, you'll sell 2x as much tomorrow, you're being cheated. Expect Jerry.
Anyway, if you're the Jerry who used to manage the Radioshack in Hyde Park, you definitely know who I am from this thread. Hi! I'm still an insufferable smartass. But also, in case I didn't say it enough then: You were awesome. Thank you!
