How to be a BETTER boss!

In honor of Employee Appreciation Day on March 7th (if you’re a business owner on top of your sh*t you SHOULD know this!), let’s talk about what it really means to be a great boss. This day is the perfect reminder that great leadership isn’t just about managing—it’s about uplifting, empowering, supporting, and valuing your team. The best bosses don’t just celebrate their employees once a year; they make appreciation a part of their everyday leadership. If you want to be the kind of boss who truly makes a difference, and makes people WANT to work for you, here’s what you need to embody:

Always be learning!

Amazing bosses never assume they know it all. They actively seek out new knowledge, whether it’s through books, courses, mentors, or simply being open to feedback. They recognize that industries evolve, business strategies change, and leadership techniques improve over time. The best leaders are students first—constantly improving so they can show up better for their team. You can find some of my FAVORITE books on leadership here! 

Ask yourself: When was the last time I invested in my own learning? How can I bring new knowledge back to my team to help them succeed?

They don’t STRIVE to be the “solopreneur”

A great boss doesn’t try to do everything on their own. They recognize the strength in collaboration and allow others to contribute their skills and expertise. Delegation isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a sign of trust. Empowering your employees to take ownership of tasks not only helps the business run smoothly but also fosters a culture of accountability and growth.

Ask yourself: Am I giving my team opportunities to step up, or am I micromanaging out of fear? What tasks am I holding onto that someone else could excel at?

When you’re a small business owner, expenses are often tight. So how can you LEVERAGE the team you do have? Let them explore what they’re good at or passionate about. In my bakery, many of my employees had creative passions—photography, calligraphy, graphic design, and social media—so I tapped into those skills. This not only made them more excited to come to work but also gave them a renewed sense of purpose in my business.

Make life EASIER for your employees

Your job as a leader is to remove roadblocks, not create them. This means streamlining onboarding, creating clear SOPs, and making sure employees have the tools they need to succeed. A great boss doesn’t just throw people into the deep end—they train, support, and set clear expectations.

More importantly, they don’t place blame when mistakes happen. Instead, they ask: Where did the process fail? and How can we improve it?

Employee Appreciation Day is a great time to evaluate your processes and ask yourself: Am I making my employees' jobs easier, or am I adding unnecessary stress?

Ask yourself: Do my employees feel set up for success when they start? Are there gaps in our training or onboarding process?

Take Responsibility—Always

One of the biggest differentiators between a mediocre boss and an exceptional one is how they handle mistakes and challenges. The best leaders take full responsibility for everything that happens in their business, whether or not it was directly their fault. Why? Because the culture, the processes, and the training all come from the top down. Instead of pointing fingers, a great boss looks for solutions and ensures the mistake doesn’t happen again.

Ask yourself: When something goes wrong, do I look for someone to blame, or do I take ownership and fix it?

Prioritize Long-Term Success Over Short-Term Wins

Short-sighted bosses focus only on immediate results, often at the expense of employee well-being. A great boss plays the long game. They invest in people, build sustainable systems, and create a culture that retains top talent. They understand that taking the time to develop strong leaders within their team will benefit the company far more than pushing for short-term gains at any cost.

One of the best ways to appreciate employees is by investing in their future. Are you helping them develop skills, grow their careers, and feel secure in their roles?

Ask yourself: Am I making decisions based on long-term success, or am I only focused on this month’s numbers?

They lead with Emotional Intelligence

The best bosses know that leadership isn’t just about strategy—it’s about people. They pay attention to how their team feels, recognize when someone is struggling, and foster a work environment where employees feel valued. They listen more than they speak, and they lead with empathy, not just authority.

On Employee Appreciation Day, a simple thank you goes a long way. But the best leaders don’t wait for a designated holiday to show gratitude—they make it a habit.

Ask yourself: Do my employees feel comfortable coming to me with challenges? How well do I listen when they do?

Being a better boss isn’t about having a title or authority—it’s about leading with integrity, responsibility, and a commitment to growth. Employee Appreciation Day serves as a reminder that leadership is about people first. If you want to elevate your leadership game, start by looking inward. Improve yourself first, empower your team, and always take ownership of what happens under your leadership.

Are you the kind of boss you’d want to work for? The simple answer to that will tell you SO MUCH about what kind of boss you are.