Bosses: The Love-Hate Paradox
Pavan Zachariah
Full stack HR certified, Learning and capability development leader, and transformation catalyst.
Ah, bosses. Love them, hate them, but you certainly can’t ignore them. They’re the gatekeepers of appraisals, the authors of deadlines, and the reason we sometimes need a second cup of coffee before 10 a.m.
Why do we love them? A good boss can be like the captain of a ship, steering the crew through calm seas and turbulent storms alike (aka captain cool). They’re the ones who give us opportunities to grow, offer us guidance, and sometimes, believe in us more than we believe in ourselves. And who can deny the pure joy of hearing the magic words, “You’re doing a great job,” or better yet, “I loved your work.” Bosses often have the power to validate our efforts in a way that can feel pretty great.
But just as quickly as they can elevate your day, they can crash it into the ground. Enter the “hate” side of the spectrum. Deadlines that make your palms sweat, endless meetings that could’ve been emails, and the dreaded “we need to talk” that makes your heart race faster than your morning jog. There’s also the mystery of why they suddenly seem less human when they clock in as ‘the boss.’ Did they really not see your email, or are they ignoring you on purpose?
The truth is, bosses are people too—flawed, busy, confused, sometimes overwhelmed, just like the rest of us. And while they can be the source of workplace woes, they also have the ability to make your job a little more bearable, maybe even enjoyable. So, here’s to the bosses we love, the bosses we hate, and the delicate dance we do between the two.
Because let’s face it—without bosses, who would we have to bond over during coffee breaks?
Learning COE Leader - EYGDS. Building transformative leaders through Learning & Skilling
2 个月So true… very nicely written as always Zac
Assistant Director - Talent Partner at EY
2 个月I was only and only thinking about you as ex boss and realised I never had second coffee coz of you! You really led all of us in an exemplary way Zac-threw us in deep end only to make us qualify as exceptional Swimmers .Your influence during my formative years has huge contribution to how I work with my stakeholders today, so big THANKYOU Boss ??
HR Professional with a blend of Corporate & Consulting experience
2 个月I can feel the experiences shared in this reflection. It's undoubtedly a day in the life of a team leader and their members, seen through the lens of an individual. Values & integrity become the key differentiators from a holistic lens, even with them (bosses/leaders as applicable) being more selective/specific, dealing with both positive and negative outcomes.? Contexts apart, competence with values and integrity can make a lasting impact at an individual and institutional level.
Assistant Director - Talent Development, EY GDS
2 个月So good Zac! Light, breezy and a flavourful slice of life ??
Senior Group Manager
2 个月Liked the articulation and the ending tickled me Zacs