PPB October 2017

Best Bosses | FEATURE C ompany culture is an extremely hot topic in business circles these days—the increased interest perhaps fanned, in part, by a controversial post this summer by a Google employee that upended perceptions about the tech giant’s idyllic culture. A company’s culture is represented in many ways, from how employees treat each other and clients, to how they dress and what actions they take when no one is watching. A company’s culture is most often defined at the top by the beliefs and practices of the top executives; it can be created organically or through careful planning and management. For most employees, much of what they see and experience about their company’s culture comes through the actions of their boss. A boss who is poor at the job can not only be toxic but can undermine the good work of the team and damage the company’s culture. But a boss who is exceptional can help align the team with a culture that ensures success. Culture aside, a recent report by Rand Corporation reveals a troubling trend among American workers: they are simply overworked. Findings show a majority have unpredictable schedules and not enough time to finish their work. Overall, roughly two thirds of respondents said their jobs forced them to work too quickly and under unrealistic deadlines, and nearly half said they take work home with them. On the plus side, most respondents said they tended to get along with their colleagues, had good work friends and had a supportive boss. It’s true that a good boss canmake the difference between a job that just pays the bills and one that adds a desirable and powerful dimension to life. Read on to learn about 14 of the industry’s most exceptional people managers who have been nominated by their teammembers and selected as the PPB 2017 Best Bosses. | OCTOBER 2017 | 25