Like a Boss! Celebrating Leadership

It has been said that many people either stay with or leave a company not due to the organization itself, but due to the actions and attitudes of their boss. You can imagine then the weight that often rests on the shoulders of our supervisors and managers. While they bear the pressures of work life, they often can be overlooked when it comes to showing our appreciation.

National Boss Day, also known simply as Boss’s Day, was instituted in 1962 through the work of Patricia Bays Haroski. She decided to set the day on October 16^th because it was her father’s birthday. Her main goal was to institute a set day where workers could show appreciation for their bosses and hopefully improve the relationship between management levels across the working world.

There are many different ways people have celebrated the day. While some bring individual gifts or cards, others have decided on a more communal approach. Some companies set up team cards or gifts that come from an entire department rather than giving on an individual basis. Others have set up events including lunches, free snacks, or small parties to celebrate the day.

Of course, there is no particularly right or wrong way to honor your boss, but there are a couple of ideas that you can use to get started.

Organizational

If the company is planning a department-wide show of support, there are a couple of great options that can make an impact even with a low budget. Create a mutual gift fund and pool a little bit of money from around the office for a giant team card, a gift basket, or an experience they might enjoy. It doesn’t have to be huge, but pooling a little bit of money combined with a dash of creativity can open a wealth of possibilities.

If your boss isn’t particularly a fan of gifts or you just want to do something different this year, a group celebration is a great option to mix things up. These gatherings can take the form of a potluck, picnic, or lunch depending on the options you have. People can also volunteer to bring in a favorite dessert or treat that can be shared as a group. There are many unique ways to show your appreciation, and with a little brainstorming, you can come up with something that can be fun for everyone involved.

Individual

If you are focused on celebrating on an individual basis, there are many different options depending on your relationship with your boss. You can give them a card or small gift if you know what they like. If you don’t think giving a card is personal enough, buying them lunch or getting them a coffee can also be a great option.

If you and your boss are in a delicate situation like contract negotiations or potential promotions where gifts could appear to have an ulterior motive, then maybe set aside a time to talk with them and express your appreciation verbally. If they are a part of those situations, they should understand and appreciate your discretion. Whatever you choose to do, it needs to be given from the heart. Only you know what your boss specifically likes or dislikes, and showing appreciation can take many forms. Your options are only limited by your imagination.

When celebrating National Boss Day, take the opportunity to also reflect. Many of us don’t appreciate all the work our supervisors and managers do for us, especially when we may never see the pressure they are under. A great boss not only keeps everyone organized and efficient, but also cares for and develops those under their responsibility. How you show your appreciation is up to you, but make sure they know you value them. You may be surprised how your workplace will improve when people show they care about each other and their leaders.