Viewing your boss as a customer is not a bad idea (in fact I quite like it), BUT

In my experience, customers tend to give more feedback than most of the bosses that I have had. Bosses are always quick to point out any shortfalls, but a simple thanks for a job well done is something very rare indeed.

Over the years, I think I have had more positive feedback from customers than my bosses (I am trying to avoid using the word "superior" 🙂 ). When I have had a chance, I have addressed the issue and the average reply is "Of course we're happy, if we weren't happy, you would hear about it" or roughly translated "no news is good news" (I just love that one).

So to be quite honest, I prefer dealing with real customers as opposed to the boss-variety and I do agree with Jeff an Lynn: managers should take a closer look at how they can be better at doing what they're supposed to be doing. Many of the shortfalls of the companies that I have worked at have been homegrown due to mismanagement and not due to lack of motivation of the actual workforce itself.

So to phrase it in a rather corny way: not only I should look at what I can do for my boss, my boss should also look at what he/she can do for me. That would be a very solid basis for good customer relations.

Just my five cents.

Thanks for writing the editorial though, it is always good to see things from other people's points of view.