Rachel Jackson, Vice Chair of Inclusion & Diversity Board and software sales leader at Cisco talks about ‘brilliant boss’ Caroline Sowter. We also cover things bosses can do to support employees coming back from any type of extended leave and the psychology of laughter, self-disclosure and trust. We recorded our conversation in March 2020 when Rachel was on  sabbatical (and before social distancing when sitting at a kitchen table with people outside your family was taken from granted).

The three brilliant boss behaviours Rachel chose:

1. Promoting Rachel whilst on maternity leave
2. Humour
3. Giving me a new job in a new space

Rachel also shared her ‘most regrettable line manager behaviour’ (not from Caroline) which was taking credit for other people’s work and humiliating team members as part of a group as a way to boost their own ego. The one people manager Rachel would like to be common practice is genuine care for team members and enabling their success.
 

 References & Resources

• Human Nature article on psychology of laughter 
  
  
•  Rachel’s business A Different Me
  
  
• Comeback Community™ 
  Fuelling employee engagement, confidence and performance throughout extended leave with resources for line managers and the team member taking leave.
  
  
• The Talent Keeper Specialists