The Greatest Boss Contest Runner-Up
Laura Luckert
Director, Creative Resources
MRIGlobal
Kansas City, MO
Non-Profit/Government Organizations Category
Nomination Essay
Urgency, mandates, and excellence prescribe boundaries for Laura Luckert’s Division, Creative Resources. Inside tough lines, Laura grows a livable, encouraging, and winning atmosphere for eleven folks. We devour document tasks while tracking target dates, people assignments, and hours invested. We cherish Laura’s abundant determination, well-timed festivities, and relaxing distractions. Our story collection brags about the best boss ever!
“Laura makes me know she is on my side. She guides and advises to fight the good fight. Her style empowers our team… makes us feel good about work. She treats us like professionals, nourishes talents, so we become our best. She trusts and gives opportunities to prove ourselves.”
“One day I had horrible stomach pains and decided to go home. Concerned that I couldn’t drive, Laura refused to let me go alone and made the 40 mile round-trip. She is always the first to defend us and stand by our side if something goes wrong, and she tirelessly pursues the best tools to exceed expectations. She makes me want to be a better employee.”
“A few years ago our contract ended as a subcontract staff and we faced a jobless future, so Laura examined keeping us as in-house employees. Laura said ‘don’t worry, everything will be fine.’ A couple weeks later, we were in HR being hired. She saved money by staffing the copy center internally. She gave us confidence for the positions we so badly wanted. We enjoy coming to work every morning.”
“Laura always recognizes her staff’s contributions. This was a busy year, and she pursued individual awards—company-wide recognition and cash. I'm thankful she notices when employees go the extra mile. Laura not only makes us feel appreciated, but motivates us to be our best.”
“Laura posted a job I really wanted, and then timed my great career move with other staff changes. Early on, I made a high profile mistake. Her immediate responses undid the blunder and took full responsibility—noting she might have erred in that situation too. Taking all professional heat, she displayed the greatest-boss quality—fighting for employees.”
“On my first day, I went home knowing this lady is going be great to work for/with. Her laughter is uplifting and contagious. I know I really ‘belong.’ Laura always informs when we win a bid, and when we don’t, but always positive. She rewards hard work with healthy celebration treats."
“Laura is a person of change and vision. From this, our division evolves to adjust and position itself to the larger company focus. That’s why I like it here to produce better documents, superior proposals, crisper reports, and new ways to track accomplishments.”
“Today in staff meeting Laura reported a major client task was not renewed. I wondered if my best job in over 40 years could be ending. Repeating a bad habit, I privately shared my fret, but without fear of being tagged a pessimist. She, as always, offered genuine optimism, noted recent wins, and displayed inimitable confidence—arrogance free, never dismissive.”
