What sort of boss are you?

I'm the new editor of Men's Folio.

That was the cue for the few of us to erupt (yes, some people erupt when they're excited) in a series of noisy cackles and congratulatory chatter, which I'm sure sounded like a variation of dolphin dialect.

The last I checked, we were in public but when friends break great news such as this, it's only right to rejoice with abandon. To hell with the nearby diners.

My friend Aaron has always dreamt of being an editor of not just any magazine, but this particular title.

So you can imagine his -- and our -- joy that Men's Folio is his latest portfolio.

As our collective thrill sizzled to a level within societal tolerance, so began the questions.

The few of us -- all self-respecting kaypoh journos with too many questions for our own good -- started grilling him.

What changes will you make to the mag?
Will there be a wardrobe overhaul?
What pose will you strike for your editor's photo?
Do you need assistants?
Will you remember us when you're famous?!

Decisions, decisions.

Of course, Aaron isn't that shallow -- so one of his main concerns is how he'd be as someone's boss.

And that was when he parried our questions with his.

Now, everyone else was able to contribute with meaning to Aaron's query.

Di, who used to be an editor at several mags, is now her own boss (PR PEOPLE -- in case a potential client is reading this. They deal with, erm, people, I think). So she gave her views.

And then there's C, who runs Wedding and Travel and her company's events and PR arm. So she too, gave her views.

I had many, many views, but none of which was credible because I'm nobody's boss.

Which got me thinking... what sort of a boss would I be, if I were one?

(Notice how I've hijacked Aaron's moment and readjusted the spotlight on myself?)

Granted, I'm a pretty easy-to-work-with person (colleagues, ex-colleagues, enemies, resist comments please) but I think I won't make a very good boss.

Thankfully, I'm not alone.

I have friends who tell me that being someone's boss isn't part of their goal.

I also have friends who tell me being someone's boss isn't part of their goal -- they want to be everyone's boss.

A female friend told me she'd rather "put my head down and just work, and do what I'm good at doing".

I wanted to know just what sort of work required a person's head to constantly be down, but I didn't press on.

But just for the fun of it, I did a quick survey among friends who aren't bosses yet, and asked them what sort of boss they might be.

L, marketing exec, 33
I'm an office bitch, so my next step is to be office bitch boss. I'm very black-faced at work one. People are scared of me but I like it that way. They won't climb over my head. So I guess I'll be a terrorising sort of boss.

D, engineer, 33
If I get promoted and I'm one rank higher than my boss, I won't fire him... I'll make sure he's hired under me... so that I can torture that mother-f***** every f****** day.

B, art director, 33
I'll be stoic. I don't think I'll laugh with my colleagues anymore, 'cos there needs to be a professional distance. I think I'm too soft to scold anyone when they need to be told, so I'll have to work on being thick-skinned while maintaining professionalism.

BC, soon-to-be deputy director, 32
I'll cut off all ties from my staff. I will be harsh because in my industry, speed and efficiency are key factors. I'll stop lunching with my staff so that they can bitch about me during lunchtime.

E, senior teacher, 34
There won't be a difference lah. Why should I change just because I'm in charge of others? I'll be open, approachable, and aim to work with my staff to solve problems. As teachers, we must have common goals to achieve so if I need to manage people, it'd be in this aspect -- to motivate them and steer them to the right direction.

P, architect, 33
It would be tough 'cos I don't think male staff will take to a female boss well. But instead of ruling with an iron fist, I'll charm them into subordination. Muahaha...

S, corp comms exec, 29
There will be rules which I'll set from day one, and I'll make sure my subordinates are clear as to what I want -- and I'll make sure I work doubly hard, so that when I need to tell off my staff, they'll know I practise what I preach.

A, editor, Men's Folio, 33






I hope this space will very soon be filled with meaningful words, Aaron. Words which will make a difference not only to your readers, but also to those who work under you.

All the best, and do the write thing.