The World's Greatest Boss - 2020

Since starting LOFT? in 2003, I have tried repeatedly (and failed) to become "The World's Greatest Boss", the contemplative nature of 2020 has begged me to question: maybe this is where I've been going wrong all along…!? 

My proudest professional achievement is the inception and preservation of our company culture, a positive energy that permeates throughout the entire organisation, transcending ego, job title, and the traditional corporate hierarchy. 

Lockdown 2020 has made refining our communications and nurturing the company culture the most important challenge I have experienced throughout my career. 

Typical of any owner managed business, we blame ourselves for everything that goes wrong, even the slightest glimmer of a dip in staff engagement is taken personally. 

Clearly, covid, lockdown, the media, our government, Trump, Brexit and the (very real) global supply chain crisis, have all played their part, but no excuses - there must be more I can do to be “The World's Greatest Boss” and keep everybody happy!

I recently discovered the word Boss is derived from the Dutch word Baas and was first used in America during the 19th century, where slave workers preferred to used “Boss” because they despised calling their superiors "Master" - horrifying.

I have always felt uncomfortable being called "Boss" and now I have discovered the word represents control, power, and fear - three things I do not want to be associated with - I realise the true sentiment behind the negative undertone. 

I then began to consider how the word is often used; "my boss is a slave driver", "I don't like the way she bosses me around" and "he's far too bossy" this added weight to the negative connotations. 

By stark contrast, "Leader" is a word which gets a more positive response from people - “he was a natural leader” or “she was a great and accomplished leader” - the association with the word is more positive and is mostly used in the context of people we revere or look up to. 

 When you choose to be a Leader, you become somebody who values people, who uses influence to inspire people to go the extra mile, someone who is a great communicator and can connect with people at any level.  

 One of the core elements Bosses and Leaders share is the fact they both have authority. 

A Boss gets their authority from the position within a hierarchy, an authority figure because of a title - the authority comes from external sources, not from any real capability or inner ability to influence those that are in a senior position too. 

 How else can we separate a Boss from a Leader?

• A boss loves power; a leader loves people. 
• A boss has no interest in people development; a leader is interested in helping them grow and develop. 
• A boss takes the credit; a leader gives credit to others. 
• A boss says, "Go!"; a leader says, "Let's go!" 
• A boss drives others; a leader coaches them toward their best performance. 
• A boss instils fear; a leader inspires enthusiasm. 
• A boss blames others; a leader works to help repair the damage and understand what happened, so it won't occur again. 
• A boss thinks in terms of him or herself; a leader thinks in terms of us. 
• A boss knows how it's done; a leader shows how it's done. 
• A boss depends on his or her own authority; a leader depends, along with the entire team, on mutual accountability and trust. 

We can ALL choose to become Leaders and make a difference, personally and professionally, irrespective of our job title or position on an organisational chart.

My perspective and ambitions have changed - in 2020 I want to become "The World's Greatest Leader", an impossible task, without a discernible finishing line, perfect for a man in my position – anything, but being “The Boss”... 

LOFT? is an independent, family-owned business, built upon the values of Love, Opportunity, Future & Trust (LOFT) - honesty, integrity, hard work and fellowship have remained consistent, noticeable, traits amongst our employees from 2003 - LOFT.co.uk

Respect, acknowledgement and eternal gratitude for every single employee, supplier and customer who has been involved with LOFT? since 2003 – Thank You for the lessons!

LOFT.co.uk #loftlife