Being The Boss

I’ve held several titles. I’ve overseen groups of people. I’ve hired and fired employees. I’ve given raises and disciplined.

I was never the BOSS!

The BOSS is the top person. The one who signs the checks? The one who mortgages the building? The one who gets all the governmental requirements for operating a business?

The BOSS is the one who is called if the building is burning down. The BOSS is the one everyone turns to for directions in time of despair. The BOSS is the one who ultimately makes it or breaks it with an idea.

The BOSS knows all things. The BOSS knows how to prepare the latest recipe and unclog the sink. The BOSS can un-jam the copier or know the person who can. The BOSS is the one who approved the coffee machine and who is called on when the elevator is stuck.

That is what makes he or she The BOSS.

In these challenging times, The BOSS has to make some troubling decisions. Close a profitable business and lay off competent and dedicated workers with no promises of being rehired. The BOSS has to look at stockpiles of inventory, orders accepted that cannot be met and request from suppliers that will never come.

The BOSS has to look at the balance sheet without knowing the length of this quarantine and try to make plans for the unknown future.

The BOSS has a family (just like all the employees now out-of-work) and must adjust a lifestyle based on savings instead of income.

It is tough being the BOSS.