Office angels are with us, after all

I have good news to report this week: My fears that you all work for and with horrible people appear to be unfounded.

There really are good bosses and co-workers out there.

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about a general tendency toward negativity in the workplace that I had noticed. While we seem to be happy to complain about lousy colleagues, I wrote, we're less inclined to praise the good ones.

At that time, I challenged readers to send me their tales of wonderful bosses and pleasant co-workers. I'm happy to say that many responded.

For example, a reader named Paul wrote in an email, "I work with a guy who wears a smile each day, and who jokes and laughs with everybody, even those he's never met.

"Our secretary brings bakery bread in every week or so, and our former department chair takes time to thoughtfully answer questions from us less experienced in the field. Articles like yours make me ask and thus see that I've got a great workplace."

Another reader, Monique, wrote that she has worked with four wonderful women, all of whom she considers to be "office angels."

Her current boss is also her husband's aunt. "We've been family now for 11 years, and I have not known what an angel she truly is until working side by side with her," Monique wrote. "She has become a best friend to me, a shoulder to cry on, someone to call when I have good news and most of all someone that doesn't ever step on or over another to get ahead, she'd take you there with her."

She wrote that she worked with three "angels" at a previous job. "These three women are dear to my heart. I can honestly say that I love each one of them. They have a way of teaching people there is more than one way to mop a floor and to accept the good in everyone and always look for the good when you can't see it right away!

"Not everyone is lucky enough to go from one great workplace to another, but somehow I did. "

You have been fortunate, Monique. I think it's possible, though, that both you and Paul can see the angels in your offices because you are angels, yourselves.

Finally, a reader named Angie wrote that she has had many bosses over the years, some bad and some good. But the two direct bosses for whom she now works are among the best of the bunch.