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Interview Patty

My Best Boss Ever

How a great boss can make a real difference in the lives of employees

The Power of Thank You
Rebecca L. Harrell, Regional Vice President, Randstad US

I had one boss from early in my career who taught me so much and was truly a great mentor. He was the president of the company I worked for, and I managed his operations. He had many great qualities as a leader, but three really come to mind: character, competence and commitment. Although he had a great sense of humor, his character really stood out to me. He was always open and honest, but most of all, he was trustworthy. He believed you had to have a strong foundation of trust or the relationship could not be sustainable. In regards to his competency, he knew how to lead his division to the next level through his vision and strategy. He knew when to take calculated risks or when to stay the course. Last, he had strong commitment not only to the company, but also specifically to his employees. He believed your commitment was the backbone, and it was what gave you the focus and strength to do your job.

Be Clear in Your Expectations
Kim Fahey, Vice President, Global Client Solutions

I am very fortunate that I’ve had only good managers in my career, so it is challenging to pick a favorite. But I do credit a lot of my success to my very first manager at my very first “grown-up job” working at a small, woman-owned recruiting firm where I was hired to make marketing calls. My first manager set very clear expectations of what she needed from me and what she would offer to me in return. There was no mystification, no surprises. She trusted me, a 23-year-old recent grad, to be the voice of her business out in the world. She empowered me to get the work done with very limited boundaries.


Remember Where You Came From
Denise Dettingmeijer, CFO, Randstad North America

My best boss ever is Peter Vermeeren. It was early in my career, and he was close to retirement. For me, it was the perfect time to be working with someone of his caliber. Peter had the experience and qualities of a seasoned executive, which you learned by simply working with him. He led with a calm, matter-of-fact style. What stood out about Peter was his ability to stretch you to your limits without you even being aware of it and allowing you to gain once-in-a-lifetime experiences that were perceived, at the time, as simple assignments.

I learned many lessons from Peter that are still with me today. A few that made the most impact are:

Creating the perfect org chart is perfect until you put in the first name—nobody is perfect.
Stretch Your Employees, Mentor Along the Way
Michelle Prince SVP, Talent Management, Randstad North America

My best boss ever was the one who saw more potential in me than I saw in myself. She pushed me outside my comfort zone, challenged me to think about the “bigger picture” and assigned me to a role I was not quite ready for. I grew more under her leadership than anyone I’ve worked for. She was willing to stretch people and was there to support and mentor you along the way. But she was also tough in that she held people accountable to deliver commitments. Years later, I’ve continued to role model myself after her leadership in many ways.


People Want to Feel Valued, Appreciated and a Part of Something
Chandelle Fairley, Managing Director, Randstad Technologies

My current boss, Steve Hurst, is by far the best boss I have ever had. First and foremost, he allows me to completely be myself and talk to him about anything. From the day I started, he believed in me and always had my back. We grew the Charlotte market together and throughout the entire experience, he and I were connected and locked arms on his strategy for the market. Steve commands respect when he walks into a room, and because of his experience and knowledge of the staffing industry and managing people, you want to listen.

Read the full article at:  womenpoweringbusiness.com

Patty Block, President and Founder of The Block Group, established her company to advocate for women-owned businesses, helping them position their companies for strategic growth. Charting the course for impactful, sustainable, profitable businesses, the beacon is control: of your strategic direction, your money, your time, your staffing, and your ability to bring in business. The Block Group brings together the people, resources and ideas that build results.

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