An anonymous reader left me a note and requested me to write about my experiences with good and bad bosses. Here you go, this is 01 of the Good Boss Bad Boss series.

In recent years, there are many differentiation made by training providers or experts on leaders and bosses now.

Whatever it is, it means the same thing to us in Asia. Many of us are still accustomed to referring to people who manages us as “boss”. It is a good way to save explanations to other teams and colleagues why things has to be done a certain way. “The boss say so,” meaning there is no room for negotiation with the unreasonable person you report to and play the role of a distressed overworked employee who is merely following orders.

It gives one a sense of superiority over the people you manage. There are definitely first time people managers whose head get too big when they entered the role. Those from the other side of the world would be shaking their heads in disbelief by now. Believe me superiority complex still exists in this part of the world even in a developed country like Singapore and it takes generations to change this mindset.

Let’s start with one of my earliest jobs back in 2003. I was a flight attendant with a defunct budget airline then. The thing about the job is, I report to a new manager every work day (almost).

June, I like June. She was from SIA and she have a great personality. We hit off really well and she placed me next to her every time we are on the same flight. Cabin managers are usually the ones in front of the plane welcoming you onboard and making the announcements.

Before take off to Krabi, she mentioned our flight is heading to Phuket. Most passengers were not paying attention and some panicked and started to stand up attempting to take their luggage.

June hid behind the curtains at the galley squatting and bursting out in laughter after she realised her mistake while I picked up the PA, apologised for the confusion and continued with the announcement.

Who doesn’t like people who can laugh at themselves?

During one of the other flights to resort islands, she brought out beer, whisky and peanuts from the food cart for sale at 10am. FYI, flight attendants get commission from items you purchased.

An important thing I learnt, when people are on holiday, there is no concept of time of the day and nothing is too expensive to sell.

Sadly, I never get to catch up with June after I left the airline and she passed away last year. RIP. Thanks for the Flights

On the topic of announcements, there is Karti. She was from one of Singapore’s now defunct airline.

Karti stomped into the back galley and raised her voice, “It is light snacks not snakes,” after a colleague made an announcement. True, pronunciation can be better but this person isn’t Singaporean and you put her to work in that position in the first place…

“Are you sure she worked as a cabin crew before?!”

“How long was she with them?!”

“How did she even get in?!”

All questions not asked directly to the person involved. This is not professional at all and nobody likes it when their capability is being questioned and being scorned at.

I was young and clueless that time and I laughed it off. If I had the knowledge and courage then, and if I have the chance to say anything now, I will tell Karti to bring up the issue to the person involved face to face. This is basic respect a people manager can give to their subordinates.