Let's Change Bosses Day to Leaders Day

Did you know today is National Boss’s Day? Boss's Day has traditionally been a day for employees to thank their bosses for being kind and fair throughout the year. Yet isn't having a boss who is kind and fair throughout the year a fundamental employee right? Shouldn't employees be treated with kindness, be paid a fair wage, and feel safe at work? Shouldn't an employee be able to go work and not worry about being mistreated by angry bosses? Shouldn’t an employee work for a leader who provides mentorship and looks to develop the confidence and skills of their team?

A boss who wants their people to appreciate them for being fair and kind is toxic. I once heard a former CEO say to a group of employees, "You should appreciate me for giving you a job." The negative impact on morale was instantaneous.

I think back to the bosses who yelled at their employees for getting up from their chair to go to the restroom – to the bosses who put such fear in their employees that it led to chronic physical and mental health issues. Working for a toxic boss impacts every part of the day and leaves you mentally exhausted.

I vote we change the holiday to National Leader’s Day. 

Leaders inspire, motivate, and bring out the best in others. Leaders do not necessarily need people reporting to them. They are influencers in the organization. Leaders are the ones who, when they leave, others follow. The effectiveness of a leader lies both in the results their team achieves and in the team’s willingness to follow the leader with their heads and their hearts.

Leadership has nothing to do with ego and has everything to do with inspiring individuals to do their best work. At the end of the day, it is the employees who should say: “We did this. We accomplished this project.” An effective leader empowers his or her team to do their best work and gives them due credit and ownership. 

Employees with inspiring leaders gladly celebrate them. When you work for an inspiring leader, you come to work excited, passionate, and ready to do what it takes for the organization. You tell your friends and family about your meaningful work. When things get stressful, your leader motivates and inspires. You can be your authentic best self when you work for or with an inspiring leader.

Leadership should be celebrated, not because of the power leaders have, but because leaders are people we look up to. We emulate them and look to them for guidance.

To those bosses who believe they should be honored and celebrated, I challenge you to step up to the plate and lead. Today I’m honoring the people who have led me in my career – Jim Mitchell, Serge Hyppolite, Vince Teso, Dan Miller, and many others.