By Gary Goldschneider

ARIES
March 21-April 20

Strengths: Inspiring, Dynamic, Trailblazing
Weaknesses: Unheeding, Stressed, Unaware
Interactive Style: Confrontational, Commanding, Blunt

The Aries Boss

Aries bosses are born leaders, so there will be little doubt as to their wishes concerning the direction the group should take. Explicit, clear, and demanding, these fiery individuals will ask for every ounce of commitment and energy their employees can muster, and then some. Because they are so comfortable in this role, they are eager to make decisions and see them implemented. True individuals, they naturally respect individuality in others and are surprisingly open to and even expectant of their employees acting on their own, once they understand what is expected of them.

TAURUS
April 21-May 21

Strengths: Stable, Attentive, Careful
Weaknesses: Bossy, Inflexible, Insensitive
Interactive Style: Concerned, Instructive, Explicit

The Taurus Boss

Many people have described the Taurus personality as bossy. Indeed, the Taurus boss is comfortable in this role, but prefers to stay behind the scenes and let things run smoothly on their own. This, of course, assumes that employees have been well coached and know what to expect from a Taurus boss. Such assumptions are not always justified, although Taurus bosses usually take the time and trouble to spell out how they want their employees to proceed. Rules and regulations are usually kept to a minimum but are written in stone, at least as far as the Taurus boss is concerned.

GEMINI
May 22-June 21

Strengths: Lively, Communicative, Interesting
Weaknesses: Distracted, Superficial, Nervous
Interactive Style: Forward, Adaptable, Logical

The Gemini Boss

Most Geminis are not comfortable giving orders or running an organization day to day. They are basically types who enjoy being part of a team and sharing experiences on an equal level. Thus, although they are quite capable of taking on the work involved in being bosses, they are not born leaders themselves and would much prefer to hang back and let things run on their own. Gemini bosses are very good at delegating authority, relying on a few capable employees to oversee the activities of their company. Such individuals are usually well rewarded and given a wide range of responsibilities. However, the Gemini boss likes to make the final decisions on all important matters.

CANCER
June 22-July 22

Strengths: Low-key, Easy, Harmonious
Weaknesses: Overly demanding, Expectant, Particular
Interactive Style: Persuasive, Feeling, Empathic

The Cancer Boss

It can be a mistake to deny or underestimate the dominant qualities of the Cancer boss. Extremely particular about how things are done, Cancer bosses can be very demanding, albeit in a low-key manner. They expect their employees to understand their wishes and even to anticipate them. It is not so much rules and orders that count most for Cancer bosses, but the fact that everyone is on the same emotional wavelength. Not fond of trouble, Cancer bosses want things to run smoothly, and this fact underlies the importance of their dominance being unquestioned rather than power tripping, per se.

LEO
July 23-August 23

Strengths: Fair, Proud, Commanding
Weaknesses: Egotistical, Power hungry, Self-centered
Interactive Style: Friendly, Open, Generous

The Leo Boss

Born leaders, Leos exult in assuming the top positions of any company. Ownership is not the most important thing for them, however — so as long as they are CEOs or directors, they are happy to be employees. Leo bosses try to be fair and impartial, succeeding in doing so as long as their authority is not questioned nor their job threatened. As they see it, they are simply representing everyone under them, trying to get them the best possible salaries, working conditions, opportunities for advancement, and benefits. Leos take great pride in their work, so when the company is being congratulated by stockholders, boards of directors, or owners, they are happy to accept for everyone else.

VIRGO
August 24-September 22

Strengths: Pragmatic, Realistic, Matter-of-fact
Weaknesses: Unresponsive, Unsympathetic, Cold
Interactive Style: Literal, Concise, Economical

The Virgo Boss

Virgo bosses are highly pragmatic and are generally realists. Thus the intent or ideals behind your actions are not nearly as important to them as the results. Facts and figures play a large role in their thinking, so be sure you have these at your fingertips when you are summoned to their offices. Excuses will be accepted only if they can be backed up with logic and acceptable evidence. Do not seek to arouse Virgo bosses’ sympathy or understanding, and keep your interactions as unemotional as possible. Virgo bosses highly value their time, as well as yours, so try not to waste it in idle banter.

LIBRA
September 23-October 22

Strengths: Popular, Charismatic, Likeable
Weaknesses: Conceited, Needy, Self-defeating
Interactive Style: Agreeable, Charming, Magnetic

The Libra Boss

The only things Libra bosses value more than being liked by their employees is being well liked by them. This intense need for popularity often betrays them and can even undermine their efforts. Instead of keeping their eye on the ball and striving for positive results, too often they are interested in their own personal gratification. At times their need for admiration seems boundless; those who know this are able to manipulate them through alternately giving and withholding praise. The struggle of Libra bosses to create successful companies is often against that most difficult of enemies — themselves.

SCORPIO
October 23-November 21

Strengths: Well-directed, Protective, Powerful
Weaknesses: Inflexible, Unforgiving, Harsh
Interactive Style: Serious, Hard-driving, Dominant

The Scorpio Boss

Scorpio bosses are serious individuals — hard-driving and dedicated to the company’s success. Consequently, they set extremely high standards for their employees and expect them to give the very best they have on a daily basis. Scorpios do not accept excuses for shoddy or slipshod work, preferring a frank admission of failure over attempts to explain it away. Powerful and dominant, Scorpio bosses sit in the driver’s seat at all times and do not allow their colleagues and fellow workers to question or undermine their authority. When reporting to their superiors or owners of the business, they seek to protect their own employees from unreasonable demands and insist on adequate and often abundant reward for their workers’ dedicated efforts.

SAGITTARIUS
November 22-December 21

Strengths: Intuitive, Forceful, Quick
Weaknesses: Uncommunicative, Unclear, Unsympathetic
Interactive Style: Independent, Individualistic, Impulsive

The Sagittarius Boss

Because of their high degree of independence and individualism, Sagittarius bosses are not always suited to this role. Sagittarians are prone to go off suddenly and often precipitously in their own direction under a full head of steam, so it may be difficult for their employees to keep up with them. Furthermore, they may not take the time to communicate their thoughts clearly to other members of the company, preferring to let their own actions speak for themselves. Not really team players, Sagittarius bosses assume command and then follow their hunches rather than carefully mapping out a campaign and relegating duties carefully.

CAPRICORN
December 22-January 20

Strengths: Dominant, Determined, Self-assured
Weaknesses: Insensitive, Unheeding, Stubborn
Interactive Style: Authoritarian, Commanding, Firm

The Capricorn Boss

Capricorns are dominant personalities, and therefore bosses born under this sign will want to be obeyed without question. Moreover, they will insist on maintaining their position as bosses of the department or company, and under no circumstances will they allow you or anyone else to undermine their authority. “Never outshine the master” is a good rule to follow when working for a Capricorn boss. Not necessarily hungry for advancement, Capricorn bosses are more likely to hang onto their rung on the corporate ladder having once reached and, in most cases, intending to remain at that level as long as possible.

AQUARIUS
January 21-February 19

Strengths: Quick, Bright, Open
Weaknesses: Impatient, Erratic, Elusive
Interactive Style: Immediate, Unpredictable, Ungovernable

The Aquarius Boss

Since Aquarians are not particularly suited to be bosses, they are, generally speaking, rather few and far between. There are several reasons for this, among them their erratic and impulsive behavior, need to act on their own, lightning-quick moves, and general disinterest in holding power over others or setting up a dynasty. That said, if you have an Aquarius boss, at least you have been forewarned. Actually, they are often fun to work with (when you can catch up to them) and treat their employees quite generously. Their impatience is legendary, so do not try their quick tempers or frustrate them with your absence or tardiness when they really need you in the clutch.

PISCES
February 20-March 20

Strengths: Affluent, Fluid, Empathic
Weaknesses: Easily manipulated, Oversensitive, Overprotective
Interactive Style: Relaxed, Adaptable, Influential

The Pisces Boss
For some strange reason Pisces are thought of as being bad with money. Yet in history, and also in one’s own circle of friends, money seems to come easiest to those born under this sign. In the same way, a Pisces boss too frequently invokes the mistaken picture of an ultra-relaxed and indecisive fish flopping out of its depth, but in fact those born under this sign frequently make excellent bosses, even dynasty builders. Money making comes quite naturally to them, as it is a fluid medium that they totally understand, and nurturing Pisces bosses are more than capable of guarding the interests of their businesses and employees, bringing profit to all concerned.

Gary Goldschneider, author of Gary Goldschneider’s Everyday Astrology, is an astrologer and the author of several best-selling books, including The Secret Language of Birthdays, The Secret Language of Relationships, and The Secret Language of Destiny. He has studied astrology for forty years and frequently lectures and writes on the subject. An accomplished pianist and composer, he has performed in concerts and recitals worldwide. He lives in Amsterdam, where he writes a regular astrology column for AvantGarde magazine. Visit him on the Web at mypersonology.com and goldschneider.com