In recent years I’ve noticed a surge of the so called “Boss” mentality, everyone wants to be a “boss,” and in in some ways, we all are.  Whether it be the boss of our households, our bodies, and our lives. However, in the workforce, it means something quite different.  I like to think I have some experience in this area. My parents have owned businesses my whole life, joint ventures and separate.  I own and manage a large international dental practice.  I’ve learned some things over the years, and I’d love to offer my very humble two cents in this area.

Being a “boss” or head of a business has it’s tremendous perks, but it also comes with a lot of responsibility and a great deal of stress.  I don’t think it’s a job for everyone and it’s totally acceptable to not have “boss” aspirations.  This does not belittle your worth in a workplace or life in general. Each role in a workplace has it’s very important significance and none is more important than the other. Although I’m the head of my practice, I never feel like my role is any more important than my front desk or maintenance person.  I can not do my job properly without the assistance of my incredible support staff.  It’s key to treat everyone equally and remind them that each job has equal importance.

Another thing I’ve learned during my “boss life” is that your people/employees must actually like and respect you.  If someone likes who they work for they are more prone to doing their job to the best of their abilities, and they will usually treat your business as their own. There is no secret formula to this, it’s simply being a good person and treating them with the same kindness and respect you desire as a human.  I’m not of the mentality that your employees should fear you, I don’t believe fear to serve you long term.  I like to think that our staff genuinely loves my husband and I because they show this daily by treating my practice as their own, and going the extra mile when needed.

Flexibility is key.  Life is complex, things happen, and we all need mental health days.  Just as I need days to run errands or attend school functions, so does my staff.  Why should I be blessed to be able to attend a Mother’s Day event at my daughter’s school when my employee can not? I seldom ask for major details when my staff asks for a day off, but just as I’m flexible with things of the sort, I also expect them to pick up the slack when needed.  This has worked for me because I’ve never truly had to count hours or days.  The give and take has flowed mutually and harmoniously.

Being a good boss means to let go of your ego or the notion that your role is above your employees. Being a good boss is having your staff’s best interest at heart because that will ultimately help your business flourish.   Being a good boss is having compassion, but also knowing when to cut your losses. You can be an exemplary boss but still have those bad apples in the workplace, and trust me when I say they will poison the crop.  Being a good boss means you seldom have to be the boss because everyone knows what they should be doing.  So, I’d say being a good boss is not being a boss at all.  Simple as that.

There is so much more I could write about this topic, but this is my essence as a “boss,” and it’s how I viewed my parents in their “boss roles.”  I was led by example, people genuinely loved working for my parents because they treated them well.  It’s not to say that they weren’t taken advantage of at times, but for the most part, they most definitely were not.  Humility is golden, it’s not a currency you can acquire, but boy is it valuable.  If I’ve learned anything from my parents, it’s that.

XOXO Linda Parra