Being the Boss

Being the boss, to me, means working for the employees. My function is to make the work go easier and smoother. If the people working with me are getting what they need to service the customer then, in theory, everything should fall into place.

Being the boss means doing every dirty stinky job the business has, and doing it well. It's never asking anyone to do anything you haven't done, or are not willing to do. It's about duplicating yourself.

In a crisis I have a feeling of calm that comes over me. The worse it gets the better I feel. There's just a point where it can't get any worse so whatever I do, is doing something. It's my responsibility to fix it no matter what. If the problem is caused by people who work with me, that's my fault nobody elses.

One day after I bought a business all the employess asked for the day off or didn't show up for work. They were going to show me who was boss. For that day I did everything myself. Customers waited, mistakes were made, things got broken, and I was at peace with my life. Next day everyone was fired.

In most businesses that I have operated some one else is the boss. You all know what I'm talking about. You've seen it a thousand times. You go into a business, the owner is sitting there, and you talk with the boss who is going to be doing your order. My printer is the perfect example. He's a graphic artist, designer, and ad copy guru, but the woman at the counter is the boss.

Let's make a distinction of good and bad bosses. A good boss is there for you. A good boss has your back, is willing to help, handles your problems, and does it in a calm professional manner. I'm a bad boss. I like being the boss, but I have what's called a style.

The first thing any person working with us is told about me, from some one else, is not to get on my bad side. As the boss I'm very protective of the people who work with me. The customer is right up to a point. Customers come and go, my business associates are family. As family there is some disfunctionality.

I'm the first one in your face if there is a problem being caused by interpersonal tensions. I'll be the first to call you out if you are doing something other than your job on the customer's time. I'm whats called a yeller. Some people like that because it's like a storm that blows over. Others have an aversion.

Kind of to sum up, being the boss is a mixed bag. What's important, I think, is that the customers, associates, workers, and the public know that things are running smoothly. Trust is the word that comes to mind the most while writing this.

People need to trust that no matter what, it will be taken care of. The people who work with you need to feel they have some one who will handle things for them. Most important is that you have to be able to feel at peace with that role. Trust.