THERE IS A WOMAN, a friend of the family, who used to watch me when I was little. She tells me about the time when she tried to get me to do something I didn’t want to do. She laughs telling me what I said; “You’re not the boss of me!” I laugh, too. She probably loves telling the story because she knows how much I hate being told what to do. I don’t feel like a control freak, mostly because nothing ever happens the way I want it to. You can make suggestions. Just don’t dictate. What’s more, I am not the boss of you, either. I don’t want to be anyone’s boss. I want to work on projects with responsible adults who share a goal. I don’t mind being a leader as I am willing to make decisions and don’t care to take responsibility for the outcome. But, I truly do not want to be anyone’s boss.

work: a job or activity that you regularly do, especially to earn money

A boss and a leader can be two very different things. A boss, defined by Webster’s Dictionary is someone in authority who exercises control by directing and supervising workers. I take issue with the word workers because it insinuates that bosses do not work. I’ve been a boss, and I was very much a worker. What I feel more akin to instead of the industrialized boss and worker are the more organic leader and teammate. A leader is someone who guides, and a teammate is a fellow member of a team. Note that teammate infers a sense of equality that provides purpose, allowing for gratification as well as gratitude. I seek to find teammates that can follow a lead, and then, let them do their work. Note to bosses, when you give someone something to do, you have to check the work. If you are asking workers to fill out forms, you have to check to see that they are filling them out correctly. As a boss, I can only be interested in the work. As a leader, I am interested in the person. 

I love my work. It bears repeating; I LOVE MY WORK. However, I do realize there are people who abhor anything referenced as work. These people are workers. Their goal is the paycheck, and this is perfectly valid. It takes all kinds to make such a fantastic world. As well, there are people who just want to show up and tell others what to do. As valid, and ever so valuable, especially when working with those who I just referenced. I feel this has to do with who you are. Maybe even on a genetic level. I love being a part of a team. Or rather, I love participating with others who appreciate me for having a particular expertise and applying it to our common goal. I don’t have to lead, but if no one wants to make a decision, I am happy to step up and make it. Likewise, if no one wants the injury of failure, I am happy to accept the award for success. But I don’t want to tell another adult what to do. And even more so, you’re not the boss of me! JOE