ellen@innovativeteamsolutions.com 
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Take a Moment to Say Thank You
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Think back to a time when you were a new, entry-level employee. The challenges you faced as you grew accustomed to your duties may have been daunting. Getting used to office culture and the working styles of your colleagues was likely a big adjustment. Your nerves and desire to perform well may have caused you stress, especially with added thoughts of how your new boss was going to respond to your contributions.
Now, imagine being the person responsible for setting the tone in the workplace for such an employee. Creating a productive, safe, and enjoyable atmosphere for your team, both new and old, would be a priority, in addition to meeting your own daily and long-term goals while also considering your company’s bottom line. Quite a lot to manage!
Having a fair, empathetic, and enterprising boss is something many wish for (and something others can easily take for granted). In an August 2010 article in McKinsey & Company’s McKinsey Quarterly, Robert I. Sutton points out that “bosses rarely account for more than 15 percent of the gap between good and bad organizational performance—although they often get more than 50 percent of the credit and blame.” In a position that so easily invites scrutiny, bosses can be scapegoats for dissatisfied workers and higher-ups. It is a tough position to be in, which makes having a good boss a true privilege.
While it’s a supervisor’s responsibility to lead well, it falls to employees to recognize just how hard their bosses work in order to truly appreciate a good boss’s positive impact in the workplace.
It’s of course important to keep these ideas and statistics in mind every day, but especially on Boss’s Day… both as an employee and as a boss! Working hard and bringing good energy into the workplace can make your boss’s job easier, in turn creating harmony among all of your teammates.
Consider doing something special for your supervisor/boss this Boss’s Day on October 16, right around the corner. You can organize to do something together as a team or individually. Whatever you decide, whether a card, surprise breakfast or lunch goodies, you can be assured that it will be appreciated! People like to be acknowledged for their contributions…and bosses are no different! Even the simplest hand-written card thanking your boss for the work he or she does can really lift your boss’s spirit and create lasting goodwill.
So…what ideas do you have to commemorate Boss’s Day? I’d love to hear so please write a comment in the space below!
Bosses day, well, I thank my supervisor at my day job on a regular basis. So to me having a special ‘day’ to do so is a little odd. In my opinion, people should thank their bosses lots! It’s showing appreciation, and gratitude all the time that works better in the world on a whole.
Thanks, Aime, for sharing your thoughts on this subject! I totally agree that appreciation is an ongoing act that tremendously supports everyone–including –the boss in the workplace. When you have designated days, tho, for employees, bosses, administrative assistants etc…that’s when it becomes tricky not to honor it in some way.
Yes so very true!
Lovely blog post! It may be old-fashioned but I keep and cherish the handwritten cards I have received from my wonderful employees. Nothing makes me feel more appreciated and good about the workplace I have than a few sentences of thanks! October 16 may come and go but any day one gets recognition makes it a special day.
Thanks for sharing your experience, Kyra… I also appreciate receiving kind and thoughtful notes from my clients…so I can relate to exactly what you wrote! Love that you cared enough to write! Thank YOU!
As a boss with 250 employees in the past…Bosses Day was always very special for me and a little bit overwhelming. When your employees take the time to recognize you and share how much you mean to them, it means that you are doing something right.
I never missed a moment to tell my employees thank you for all they did for me as well. Without them I would not be who and where I am…saying thank you, giving hand written notes of appreciation, and acknowledging them for special events like birthdays, family events, etc. were always important to me.
Great article Ellen – thanks for sharing!
Elizabeth, What a terrific expression of gratitude you shared for the many employees who worked with you. Recognizing that it is those who we are surrounded by day in and day out that truly do help us all achieve our goals…and dreams! Those in leadership roles who do take the time to show appreciation to their employees help create an atmosphere conducive to creating a happier and positive workplace where everyone benefits. I’m happy to know this resonated for you!
Hi, a few staff members at our organization coordinated putting together a short video for our Executive Director where all of our staff shared short messages of appreciation — our boss loved it and was very moved by the sentiments expressed:)
That is such a unique way of honoring your Director! I’m sure it was a huge success…thanks for sharing such a special idea, Deb.