Recognizing How to do Boss’s Day as a Leader
Recently the conversation around National Boss’s Day is whether it’s a requirement or option for employees to recognize their boss. Here are some ideas on how you can recognize Boss’s Day at your organization genuinely without creating anxiety.
Celebrated annually on October 16, National Boss’s Day was started in the 1950s by Patricia Haroski. She honored her boss – who also happened to be her father – on his birthday. To be fair she was not working in the family business (she and her father were employed by State Farm at the time), but times were “different” to put it mildly. No matter how you think of workplace dynamics in 1958 compared to today, the idea took off over the next decades.
When I worked in large corporate organizations in the early 2000s – 2015, it was common for a team to take their manager out for lunch or bring in treats. It was informal but authentic. Not all teams took action, usually because of the team “personality”. It was not necessarily a sign of a good or bad boss. Teams that celebrated other milestones – birthdays, weddings, babies – tended to be the same ones who took the opportunity to treat the boss. It was a good indicator of an engaged team.
Is Upward Recognition Real Employee Recognition?
Now some folks are uncomfortable with the idea of gifting or recognizing the boss – i.e., Upward Recognition.
“It’s not genuine.”
“It’s just a way to ‘kiss up’ to leaders.”
“What has the boss done for me?”
These can be valid statements in some cases. But let’s not throw the baby out with the bathwater.
How to have a genuine and anxiety-free Boss’s Day
Here’s my list of tips to have a genuine and anxiety-free Boss’s Day:
1) As a leader - Recognize the bosses who work for you. Take the time to share a personal thank you for what they do to make the organization successful. And to make your job as the leader easier.
2) As a boss - Don’t expect recognition from your employees – instead graciously thank the ones who do share a card or thought on that day. Your team might not be one to spend time or energy on cards or lunches. That doesn't mean you’re not a good boss. Focus on true engagement with the team so you’ll know how they really feel EVERY day.
3) As an employee – Do what is genuine for you. If you want to thank the boss for their support of you or for being a great manager, feel free to do so.
4) As an employee – Don’t succumb to peer pressure to either join in or boycott Boss’s Day. If in doubt refer to #3.
5) As an organization - Create a culture that deserves upward recognition through investing and valuing the best leaders in your team. Make their behaviors and performance the rule and not the exception. Team members will demonstrate appreciation in different ways, resulting in a better performing and engaged organization.
Employee recognition is a top driver for engagement in the workplace at all levels
Most team members want some type of recognition – public or private – as confirmation that they are valued by their organization. Whether the recognition comes upward from team members or downward from your leaders, it can be motivating and confirmation that you, as a boss, are appreciated.