A Good Leader

I have been at my job for 25 years. The reason I have stayed at my job is because it keeps me interested, it’s challenging, and because I have an amazing boss.

What makes a good leader? When I read this question, I immediately thought of my boss, whom we affectionately refer to as The Chief, because she is the chief public defender. I will list some of her attributes that make her an amazing leader.

1. She isn’t condescending. She doesn’t act like she is better than us, not ever. Even though she is definitely our boss, she listens to us and we know that we are valued. She makes sure that we understand that she really cares about us and our lives outside of the office. A leader cares about the people.
2. She fights for us. I work for the county, and there are many employees in our county. There are many different pay grades, and many different definitions of what are employment entails. The chief has fought for us consistently over these 25 years. She is the reason that the county has raised our pay so many times, and understands just how hard our work is, and how valuable we really are. She doesn’t fight for other departments. She fights for us. A good leader will fight for you, and put you first. All of you, no matter your differences she will fight for what is best for everyone under her wings.
3. She doesn’t try to micromanage us. I feel like a good leader can put good people in charge, and let them go to work. Maybe we don’t do things exactly the way she would like them to be done, but we get things done. A good leader doesn’t try to control you, doesn’t try to belittle you, doesn’t try to force you to do anything. As long as you are a good person and are doing what you should be doing, a good leader is hands off.
4. Our chief is more valuable to us than our jobs. If she left her position, many of us would leave with her. We might wait to see what the new chief is like, but I can already tell you that there will not be a chief that compares to her. A good leader is loved by the people, and is loved because that leader has earned their love, their trust, their respect.
5. So, I believe that some of the attributes of a good leader are being someone who is down to earth, not afraid to work, not afraid to trust people, not controlling, someone who fights for all the people, and someone that has earned the love and trust of their people.