We know it’s tough to be the boss. Lots of pressure. Lots of responsibility.
Probably more criticism and less appreciation than you deserve and desire.
It’s just that many times we don’t like what you say or make us do or make us learn. In fact, sometimes it makes us mad as hornets. And then sometimes we understand and appreciate the value later. But sometimes it’s much later. And we don’t even remember. Or sometimes we don’t even realize it unless a repeat event triggers the memory. Or unless we stop to do something like celebrate National Boss Day.
Well today YOUR day.
So first – THANK YOU for our jobs and our pay checks.
Here are some other things we appreciate.
*****
Thank you for telling me I was working too hard. I actually couldn’t believe you said that to me!
But you were right that should be hiring and training people to do more of the work instead of doing it myself – and doing that was the only way for our company to grow.
So – thanks. Thank you very much.
*****
My boss has a policy of never criticizing me or talking negatively about me to anyone. He does that because he knows that if he talks negatively about me (or any of his direct reports), he undermines my power as a leader.
I trust him implicitly – knowing that if anything negative needed to be said – he will say it directly to me.
I like that a lot. Thanks, Boss.
*****
My boss seems to know when I’m having a tough day. He pops his head around the corner and says, “Want to go have a bowl of soup?”
I say “yes” whenever possible. During our bowl of soup, we sometimes talk about whatever is causing my tough day – sometimes not. He doesn’t ask questions. He leaves “the agenda” to me. I feel much understood. Very supported.
Thanks for that!
*****
I used to go to Jim complaining about one particular employee.
After several months of doing this, he said, “Look. We’ve talked about this enough. Either save him or let him go. One or the other – your choice. But don’t bring it up again.”
A a great message which forced me to take a stand and move on to other issues.
Thanks a lot!
*****
Would you like to add some stories? You can identify yourself and your boss – or tell the story anonymously. Then send an e-mail to him or her with a link to this article and a note that says something like:
Take a look at this story. Scroll down to the comments. The one posted today at 10:37 is about you. Thanks and Happy Boss Day.
Your message will not only benefit your boss, it will also benefit others who are searching for ways to become a better one.
Just type your story in the “Comments” box below. If you don’t see a “Comments” box, look for a “Comments” link up near the title and date of this article.
After you type in your story, it may take a couple of hours before it’s “approved” and in position. Once it shows up, send him or her an e-mail which includes this link: https://businessclassinc.com/2009/10/13/thanks-boss/
copyright 2009 – Business Class Inc
A few more articles about bosses & Boss Day:
- National Boss Day is October 16.
- Kudos to Bob McAlister – from Mick Mixon – includes audio.
- Kudos to Michael Barefoot (Owner of A Southern Season) – from Briggs Wesche
- Kudos to Ray Austin – from Mick Mixon – includes audio.
- Kudos to Mack Brown – from Rick Steinbacher.
- Kudos to Chancellor William Aycock – from Joy Hakan.
- An Inspirational Boss – Kudos to Bruce Springsteen and Boston’s Mayor Menino.
I appreciate the fact that my boss even hired me. I didn’t have a lot of experience and had NO money. I needed both and he gave me a chance.
I have a wonderful boss. He can always tell when I’m about to lose my mind, so he pulls me aside and says something nice.
He always asks how he can help me, and he means it. There are days when we both want to scream at each other rather than smile, but when it comes right down to it, I couldn’t pick a better boss.
There isn’t a boss around who genuinely cares as much as my boss. I’m lucky to have him
Great stories! Not only great ways to thank the boss…but also great ways to learn to be a better one.
Check out this one: Kudos to Bob McAlister (from Mick Mixon) https://businessclassinc.com/2009/10/14/management-lesson-bob-mcalister/
My boss saves every Monday morning for me. From 10:00 until 11:30 am, she is my captive audience. Door is closed – phone on do not disturb – e-mail signal silenced.
It’s impossible to get to her from 11:30 am on Monday until the next Monday at 10 am, but during that time, I handle most things on my own. The things I can’t handle – I know I can count on her to help me with these on Monday at 10 am.
It’s a great system! Thanks!
Here is another great story from Mick Mixon – Kudos to Ray Austin – https://businessclassinc.com/2009/10/15/a-management-lesson-from-ray-austin-at-western-auto/
Kudos to The Boss himself – Bruce Springsteen, the Boss of Rock & Roll. Read more here:https://businessclassinc.com/2009/05/02/inspirational-boss/.
Our CEO gathered us together at least quarterly – for review of the numbers and a training of some type.
People always complained about this to each other. How could we get our work done if we had to stop for this? If the company can afford for us to do this, why can’t they afford to pay us more? Etc…etc.
Can you believe he did that?
What a huge expense – in time, money and energy – to stop and re-focus on the vision, to celebrate progress, to share concerns and brainstorm solutions, to learn from the latest books and consultants and best practices.
It was material that many pay tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of dollars to be exposed to in MBA school.
And we got it all for free.
It was so unusual then.
And now.
What a huge investment he and the company made in us!
Thanks, Jim.
Thanks, Boss.
Bob and I had lunch one day, drove back to the office, parked the car and, as we talked and walked into the building, he stooped down and picked up a piece of trash.
Here was the COO of the company picking up trash in the parking lot. A small gesture that spoke volumes. I’ll never forget it.
Now, whenever I see a piece of trash, whether it’s on my company’s property or public property, I pick it up and I think of him.
It’s crazy around my office.
My boss counteracts this craziness by saving every Monday morning for me. From 10:00 until 11:30 am, she’s my captive audience. Door is closed – phones turned off.
It’s impossible to get to her from 11:30 am on Monday until the next Monday at 10 am, but during that time, I can handle most things on my own. The things I can’t handle – I kno I can count on her to help me with these on Monday at 10 am.
My hired me to do a job I had never done before. Part of my job was preparing bids and quoting fees for services.
I made a terrible mistake and quoted a fee that was far too low. The client had already accepted the proposal and I had signed it. We were going to lose actual, out -of-pocket money on the deal.
Almost in tears, I went to my boss, told her what I had done, and offered to pay the difference.
She responded by thanking me for letting her know and then said, “I consider the cost as tuition. I’m always happy to pay for good employee training. And didn’t you learn something?.”
My boss took a risk by hiring me into a group where I had essentially no experience in the particular subject matter.
She took an active role in my development by spending time with me, and finding both formal and informal training opportunities for me. She connected me with people who would help me grow and learn.
I know what a huge leap of faith this was, and the fact that she believed that I could contribute to this group, gave me greater confidence in myself.
As my confidence increased, my job performance improved, and as a result, she’s promoted me multiple times over the last several years.
She’s clearly a boss who realizes the worth of investing in her staff.
Great story…Kudos to Michael Barefoot, owner of A Southern Season – from Briggs Wesche. Here’s the link: https://businessclassinc.com/2009/10/14/kudos-to-michael-barefoot/
I was juggling a lot of balls to help my boss with pressing matters. It was lots of detailed work with numbers and data analysis.
When presenting my findings, my boss had this glazed look in his eyes that indicated I was overwhelming him. He nicknamed me “grunt boy”.
I wasn’t sure if this was a demeaning reference or as an affectionate term – especially when he called me that in a meeting with others.
Just after the meeting (a very stressful one for my boss), he turned to me, looked me square in the eyes, and said,
“Above all others, you are invaluable to me right now.”
That outward and very sincere appreciation for my work meant a great deal and is something that I will always take with me.
I’m a relatively new manager and was recently managing in difficult and uncertain times because of a looming merger (we were the acquired, not the acquiring).
We had a hiring freeze and so in addition to this new management role, I was working an open sales territory.
Definitely burning the candle at both ends -working from 7am – 11pm almost every single day.
I was so tired.
My boss knew this and sent me a huge gift basket with coffee, hot chocolate and other goodies. It was a small token but he wrote a very kind appreciative note, letting me know that he appreciated how hard I was working and that things would get better.
It was a personal touch that didn’t cost much but eant a lot to me.
Within 24 hours after I got engaged, my boss showed up in my office with a fun engagement gift. She was at my wedding with “bells on her toes.” She hosted a baby shower for us. And that flock of storks waiting in the yard when we brought our baby home – who did that? She never admitted to it – but we knew. She made me feel so special.
I had a boss I loved dearly. He had confidence in me and that’s what I loved about him so much. He sent me on a business trip that was loaded with land mines in legal issues. He knew I was no lawyer, but sent me in to the trip anyway.
When I got there, I found out there were Ivy League corporate lawyers there for major companies. Our lawyers had bailed out but my boss told me I could hold my own because I knew more about the subject and the law than our own lawyers would have.
I was bombarded, but I answered every question correctly and successfully defended our position.
My boss believed in my knowledge and trusted me to handle it.
If you are a boss, trust your employee’s knowledge on subjects that you hired them in the first place. If they are off track in some way, let them know about it quickly – don’t let anything fester.
I love that guy for believing in me…and I believe in myself more because of it. Thanks Boss!
I have the greatest boss of my professional life right now. She is the president/owner of our small company so she wears many hats. But she will always take time to listen to you.
She cares about you as a whole person, not just as an employee. She sets an example for our whole company with her appreciative and respectful attitude.
I remember right after 9/11 when the economy was suffering, and therefore our sales were not quite up to par, she spoke to me about how heavy the burden of the company was for her, “I am responsible for this company, and this company supports 17 families (the number of employees).
I take very seriously this responsibility.”
She not only wants our company to prosper, but also us as individuals. It’s amazing to have a president that sees the whole picture and not just the bottom line.
My boss expects us to work very hard. There are constant deadlines. Lots of pressure. But she makes it fun. I must admit that we make fun of her and her parties and silly awards, but we also love it. She obviously knows how hard we work – and obviously appreciates it.
Great stories! Thanks to all who contributed!
They serve as a source of ideas on how to be a better boss. Ideas on how to get more of what you need from your boss. Maybe even trigger some memories that will give you something specific for which you can say “Thanks, Boss!”
Oops – Boss Day is over.
That’s okay.
Every boss I know would gladly accept appreciation on any day at any time –
even if what you are thanking him/her for something that happened many years ago.