On this there is widespread consensus: The number one factor in productivity, morale, and retention is the relationship between employees and their immediate boss. So, what are employees looking for in a boss?

Low performers are looking for a boss who...
-- is weak, hands-off and tries to treat every employee the same;
-- keeps no track of who is doing what, where, why, when, & how;
-- doesn't spell out expectations;
-- lets performance problems slide; and
-- allows low performers to sit around and collect a paycheck.

High performers are looking for a boss who...
-- is strong, highly engaged, and treats every employee as a special case;
-- lets employees know they are important and their work is important by keeping track of who is doing what, where, why, when & how;
-- spells out expectations clearly and shares best practices every step of the way;
-- helps them avoid pitfalls and solve problems quickly so the problems don't grow;
-- clears the low performers out of the way; and
-- rewards high performers when they go the extra mile.

What about the vast majority of employees who are somewhere in the middle? You will get out of them exactly what you put in--in almost exact proportion to your technique, time, and energy. If you are strong and highly engaged, you are treating your employees like high performers. You will manage most of them into a steady upward spiral. And high performers will beat down your door for the chance to work for you.

In today's high pressure workplace, employees need a boss who sets them up for success every step of the way and helps them earn what they need. Be the boss who says, "Great news, I'm the boss! I'm going to make sure that everything goes well around here. You can count on me."