Dave couldn't have been more excited. Working for Google, he knew they didn't do anything halfway. So, when he had the opportunity to be part of a new supervisor training project intended to "build a better boss," he couldn't wait to get started. During the training to understand what a great boss is and does, Google trainers helped Dave and his fellow supervisors compare their appraisal data to performance reviews, feedback surveys, and supporting papers turned in for individuals rated as top-supervisors. They soon found out the training materials were developed from Google's Project Oxygen, which identified eight characteristics or habits of Google's most effective supervisors. The "big eight" characteristics listed for Dave and the others were: 1. Provide an unambiguous vision of the future 2. Help individuals to reach their long-term work goals 3. Express interest in employees' well-being 4. Ensure you have the necessary technical abilities to support employee efforts 5. Display effective communication skills, especially listening 6. Provide coaching support when needed 7. Focus on being productive and on end results 8. Avoid over-managing; let your team be responsible Initially, Dave and the others were underwhelmed and thought these eight attributes seemed pretty simplistic and obvious. In fact, Dave wondered why Google spent all this time and effort to uncover these at all. He later learned that even Google's vice-president for people operations, La