Daily Mood Quote

 

Daily Mood Quote

Day 71 – July 13, 2011

“A boss creates fear, a leader confidence. A boss fixes blame, a leader corrects mistakes. A boss knows all, a leader asks questions. A boss makes work drudgery, a leader makes it interesting.”

~ Russell H. Ewing

A very long time ago, a man I respected very much told me, I had the potential to be a great leader, I just needed an education and experience. Well, I'm educated and I'm experienced. I'm also unemployed, not by choice. My position was downsized and a woman I worked with pulled out her claws and prepared herself for battle (remember I read body language) this wasn't a physical battle, but a battle for a job that involved playing a corporate game (I'm too old to play high school games). That job seemed more important to her than to me. I would have loved to stayed employed, but I am not the kind of person who lies, spreads rumors, shares gossip or makes things up in order to keep a job. I have to look at myself in the mirror every night and be all right with my behavior, before I go to sleep. My clear conscience means something to me, as well as a good night sleep.

Having worked for several bosses, I've got a good idea of what works and what doesn't work. On Friday, a local radio station ask for stories about horrible bosses to acknowledge the release of the movie Horrible Bosses with Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, Jennifer Aniston, Kevin Spacey and Jamie Fox, just to name a few. Anyway, some of these stories weren't really surprising to me, because I have lived here in the ragged edge of the “Rust Belt” for nearly nine years and have had a few of these horrible bosses. Plus, my husband worked for the worlds' worst boss ever... until the IRS seized his boss's accounts and my husband and others lost their jobs, because of malfeasance on his boss's part.

I know the program Undercover Boss was put on television to show that bosses, CEO's, COO's of companies have a “softer side” when they take the time to learn about the people in their company. This is a horrible show , a PR stunt and one I believe is just taking up space and wasting time. Especially, when you follow it with The Apprentice and watch people verbally and sometimes physically fight for a “job” and are sometimes lead into the argument by a verbally abusive potential boss (guess who). It might make for good television ratings, but the producers fail to understand that this is an example being set and some employers and employees are following it. Have we learned nothing over the past thirty years?

People don't have jobs because they want to work, we have jobs because we need to work. Not everyone is a millionaire and in some cases are not really interested in being millionaires, just being safe and warm. Many just want to be able to pay for life, for food, bills, and yes, even pay for occasional family fun.

In the movie Nine to Five, Violet (played by Lily Tomlin) said to Franklin M. Hart, Jr. (played by Dabney Coleman), “I am your employee and as such I expect to be treated equally with a little dignity and a little respect.” I think people let the crap their "horrible boss" dishes out just roll off, because they intrinsically know; “The only real boss is the one who walks around under your hat” (Thank you Napoleon Hill). That doesn't make the bad behavior right, or acceptable. The point is; the term “boss” and “leader” are not interchangeable. There is now, and as long as we follow “televised” examples, will continue to be, a fundamental lack of leadership in business and in life, no matter how many “bosses” exist.

Will you “lead” or “boss” today?

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