There are many “Hallmark-esque” holidays that exist. Siblings' day, Grandparents Day, National Pretzel Day-- and lord knows how many more. Every October, one Hallmark Holiday rears its head: National Boss’s Day. Ugh. Boss.
There is a fine line to walk here with literal meanings and realities, but let’s challenge the term “National Boss’s Day”. It’s rare for folks to use the word Boss with a positive connotation. Think of how the word is often used in everyday English:
“That person sure is bossy”
“I got bossed around by my spouse”
The term “boss” tends to evoke feelings of being inferiority, control, and sense of being talked at rather than talked with.
What happens when this stigma exists?
Typically, people don’t like to be led by someone labeled as a boss (in the negative connotation described above). They are unlikely to give their all since they won’t believe it will be good enough anyway. It creates a feeling of having to do something versus getting to do something, which energizes and motivates them.
Lushin Build Leaders, Not Bosses
At Lushin, we literally have a culture tile that reads “Boss is not a useful term”. The world needs more leaders. Leadership coaching doesn’t have to come from an official title; it can be anyone who positively affects human behavior. For 27 years, we have fought this stigma and aimed to create a culture of leadership-- not only for our clients, but for our incredible internal team, who are key to keeping this machine humming.
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As part of our culture this shows up in questions we literally ask in an interview (e.g. “Describe your ideal leader?”), how we conduct our six-month reviews for everyone in the office, how we approach conversations with each other, how we approach conversations with clients, and most importantly, how we lead our lives.
Is your company built with Bosses or Leaders?
It’s built with bosses if your team tend to do the bare minimum to get things done, if they don’t see in you what they want to see in themselves, or if they only follow because they have to. Even worse, you might hear someone say “As your Boss, I....”.
I understand the intent of this day. Let’s call it Leaders Day from now on, celebrating ANYONE who positively affects human behavior. Think of how much stronger we all can become when we emphasize Sales Performance, Sales Messaging, and Motivating a Sales Team through authentic leadership rather than a "boss mentality" typical of traditional management. This leadership approach is essential in applying effective sales training, as it empowers teams to not only meet their goals but also thrive in a competitive environment. By managing a sales team with this mindset, we create an environment where individual strengths shine, leading to outstanding sales performance.
📚 Resources
Want to learn more about effective leadership? Check out these related articles:
- Why Your Best Salesperson Isn’t Always the Best Sales Manager
This article discusses the differences between top sales performers and effective sales managers, highlighting the skills needed for true leadership. - Be the Change
This article discusses how individual actions and leadership can change team culture and drive positive change within your organization. - Setting the Example
This blog emphasizes the significance of leading by example, showcasing how authentic leadership can motivate and inspire a sales team. - Sales Leader Traits
This article discusses the key characteristics of successful sales leaders that create an empowering and effective sales environment.
