Questions 23-28 · Read the article below about
the qualities of a good boss. · For each question (23-28) on
the opposite page, choose the correct answer. · Mark one letter
(A, B or C) on your Answer Sheet. What
makes a good boss better Different businesses
require different management skills. But some of these skills are common to all
good managers. Everyone’s opinion of what makes a good boss differs. Each work
environment places different demands on managers, and a good boss in one
workplace might not be as effective elsewhere. In large
companies, where delegation and organisation are important, the role of the boss
or chief executive is to encourage and generally get the best out of his or her
managers. In a small business, however, the boss’s job is to ensure, without the
help of any middle management, that staff at all levels meet targets. This
requires a different set of skills. ’Being a good manager is
important in any organisation, but it’s particularly so in small businesses,’
says David Harvey, Director of management-research company Optima. ’This is
because in a small company, the Director shapes the company culture and the
overall atmosphere in the workplace. Without effective leadership, the company
will fail, regardless of the strengths or weaknesses of the competition.’
The most successful small businesses are those where the boss
can get the employees to take an active role in the development of the
organisation. It isn’t just about paying staff more. A sense of purpose is also
important. This doesn’t have to take the form of ambitious mission statements,
which are so popular with some management schools. Instead, it’s about
communicating a set of business priorities that everyone in the organisation
feels is important and that they want to achieve. If you take a holiday company,
this sense of purpose can be about focusing on first-class customer service, so
that all holidaymakers feel well looked-after on arrival in a resort.
A good boss cares about the development of staff and recognises that the
company will also gain if staff are encouraged to achieve their potential and
succeed in their careers. People development depends on appropriate training and
providing the right environment in which people can learn, either formally or on
the job. It is possible to acquire leadership skills. While
some people have an instinctive understanding of what makes a good manager,
others can learn as they go along. What does the writer say the CEO of a large company must do
A.Encourage staff at all levels.
B.Set higher performance targets.
C.Motivate managers to achieve what they can.