I’ll go first:
doesn’t treat his employees differently according to personal bias.
Wants his employees to become better and to earn more money.
Respects his employees’ needs for solitude (yes, I’m an introvert and want to disconnect during my pause) and knows what boundaries are.
Doesn’t leave you in the lurch. One of the reason why I quit my last job is that my manager, who loved to claim we’re a team would always go to smoke with his friends, while I’d be taking care of business, something he never acknowledge. His pauses lasted always more than 30 minutes and I was supposed to always work more than him. Nope.
Is not a drama queen and has a life outside of the workplace.
Doesn’t try manipulating me each time I call in sick.
Am I asking for much?
The umbrella is such an underrated skill. My manager is the best buffer between me and the C-suite, and I appreciate it immensely. She doesn’t involve me in any of the company’s internal political crap unless it directly impacts me. She filters out all the bullshit and protects me from our bosses getting in the way of the work.
Some of her other excellent managerial qualities: she doesn’t cold call me (we’re remote), she doesn’t schedule unnecessary meetings, she has zero contact after COB, and she trusts me to get my shit done during the day, on my own, with absolutely no micro-managing. Some weeks I don’t need to interact with her at all, even though she’s a fun person I never mind chatting with. She’s the best manager.
It all boils down to mutual respect. Respect leads to trust, trust leads to teamwork and a healthy work environment.