What words or actions from good public service managers have stuck with you?

I’m a public service manager who has benefited from having some amazing bosses over the years. In managing my staff I try to emulate the actions and words that made a difference to me earlier in my career.

This sub has a lot of discussion about toxic bosses but I want to hear about how good bosses have inspired, motivated or supported their staff and what is has meant to you. Especially keen to hear about anything that has made you glad to be working for a specific manager.

Some examples from me: - a manager early in my career stating that part of their job was to help me be good at mine and (when the time came) to help make sure my next job was a good move for me - a manager actively seeking out opportunities for me to grow and fill experience gaps (at the time that was travel/on the ground experience) - a manager introducing me to their networks and contacts to help me build my own.

These were not examples as me being treated as special or singled out but more just examples of the approach that these manages took to all of their staff.

(Note: I’ve also had some terrible bosses- it’s not all sunshine and rainbows.)