What makes a Boss, bossy? Is being a big Boss need to be bossy?

Where I work

I work at the Headquarters of a conglomerate in the Property Department which places me in the management of the company's fleet, facilities (as computers, photocopiers, furniture, office building), materials for work, water supply, contract staff, Suppliers, amongst others. The Head Office has 6 subsidiaries of the company in a large building of 3 floors.

This development places me in position to serve all the offices both my subordinates and my Superiors (Bosses) including the Departmental Heads, M.D of the micro finance bank, AGM (operations), AGM(marketing), General Manager,the Group President and one of the Executive Directors in the Corporate services. All these work in the Head Office.

This number of people has provided an opportunity to study the professional ethics of people at close range with different human beings at different levels and functions.

In my interactions with all in the discharge of my duties,I have taken time to study them as regards their inter personal relationship, humility and sincerity of purpose.

I have to add here that most of my superiors are young men and women which is largely the composition of the company from inception.

I have learnt so much from their actions and reactions in the work place. This has cultivated in me the right professional and behavioural demeanour on how to relate with your subordinates.I have quite a lot of them that work with me.

What makes a Boss Bossy?

Firstly, from my own experience, I feel that one of the reasons why the Boss feels bossy is EGO problem, that is sense of self.

You see our carriage depends on how we see ourselves which equally determines how we relate with others. Some Bosses personalize themselves as individuals with great self-esteem and personality.

This understanding of self drives them to operate as "alphas and omegas" and they want people to acknowledge this.

If they discover that you don't want to recognize their personality or self esteem or importance in the company, you immediately become a target.

Secondly, a Boss becomes bossy to command respect. I see this everyday at work place.

This is usually the case if you are older than your boss or at close age bracket with him/her.

By nature, he knows that he/she is expected to respect you if not for anything because of your age but fails to do so because of official hierarchy as a result of being there before you or having better qualifications than you have.

Respect is never commanded but earned.I respect the Group President of my company not because he is but cos of his good relational attitude towards all the employees no matter how small in stature you are or where you come from.

Some bosses mistakenly feel that you command respect from your subordinates by shouting and bullying. It doensn't really work that way, rather people would begin to avoid or look through you.

Thirdly, some bosses feel bossy because of inferiority complex or low self esteem. Most bosses may not get it when the subordinate drives a better personal car even better than what he uses as an official car.

When the subordinate dresses better, speaks better and handles issues in a more articulate and proactive manner than the Boss whom he/she takes instruction from.

They may feel that their position in threatened and may try to frustrate you and your efforts.

Fourthly, most bosses see themselves as infallible

All of us have areas of weaknesses and stregth. Most Bosses fail to understand this axiom. They feel that being the Boss blesses them with monopoly of knowledge and infallibility. They are the ones whose instructions must be taken but not ready to take your contributions.

I submit that there are great bosses out there, wonderful people to work with with full of humour, firmness,fairness and humility irrespective of what or whom they are.

Nontheless, being a boss is an opportunity to be a trainer of men and women who by reason of their relationship with others build a sustainable society.