What makes a good to great employer?

Gordon, in a word: fairness. It's a great goal for any employer and should be applied across the board from compensation to tasks...and everything in-between. No playing favorites with giving one person a perfect working environment and expecting the next person to get the hand-me-downs and stand on their feet all day.

Next would come a good example of leadership without power plays. Set a good example for the employees so you create a cooperative and productive environment. This is the real source of corporate culture...good or bad...the leadership sets the tone and the employees follow suit.

A good culture requires good follow through...rewards, recognition, opportunities to learn and advance if they wish to (not everyone does...some prefer routine jobs so they have more energy to invest in other pursuits after hours).

Do good investigating of any prospective additions so you don't get the jerkwaters that lead to chaos in the team.

Try to be upbeat and positive...or hide out in your office or the bathroom stall until you have things under control in your head so you don't spread negative feelings and atmosphere.

Sandi Bowman