It’s time to retire a four-letter word that is all too common in most workplaces. This word has an insidious effect on how we orient to leaders. Yet, we don’t instantly find it offensive or out of bounds. In fact, this four-letter word is so common as to be synonymous with leadership, even though it stands for the
In the service industry, men will call their male customers boss, but it is secretly not flattering. I have a friend who is a barber who let me in on this little secret. I will politely ask my direct reports not to call me this.
This has been intuitive for me but I’ve always struggled with a good replacement to suggest to team members who call me boss.
Because you’re looking for something just as short and handy?
Want one syllable?
In the service industry, men will call their male customers boss, but it is secretly not flattering. I have a friend who is a barber who let me in on this little secret. I will politely ask my direct reports not to call me this.
Interesting, David, how did your barber friend come to this knowledge? Or are you saying it’s a purposefully disguised insult?