OCTOBER 16TH IS NATIONAL BOSS DAY...

Gifts Do Not Have to Be Expensive to be Good

October 16 is National Boss’s Day. What should you do? Don’t forget about it! Some may worry about appearing to be sycophantic by doing something for your boss that day, but the failure to do something could be far more costly to the all important employer-employee relationship than a slight awkwardness among co-workers.

Many bosses feel under appreciated. We have all heard the stereotypical comments that bosses don’t work very hard, that they delegate all the tasks they dislike to others, that they take credit for their employees’ work, and that they are sitting in an ivory tower somewhere with their feet on the desk. For most managers, this is clearly not the case, and yet, like many other stereotypes society assigns at random to entire groups, the stereotype of the distant, uncaring, lazy and over-paid boss is constantly being reinforced to the frustration and disappointment of hard-working managers everywhere. Taking the time to express your notice and appreciation for the good things your boss does is very encouraging and rewarding for him or her, and certainly the good will you engender by doing it won’t hurt you any!

If you are concerned about how peers will respond or you fear that colleagues may be tempted to engage in one-upsmanship regarding cards or gifts, get a jump on the situation and urge a united recognition – go in together for a really nice gift or plan a luncheon as a group. At the luncheon, have each employee give a specific GOOD memory or say one thing they appreciate about the boss. This has the side-benefit of showing teamwork and camaraderie, something every manager hopes is a hallmark of his or her team.

Do not despair if you cannot afford to purchase your boss an expensive gift. It is not expense that is noticed – it is sincerity and thoughtfulness. Often it is not what is given but what is SAID that matters the most. A handwritten note in which you specify in what ways your boss has impacted your workplace for good is far more effective than a generic card which you have dutifully signed. Recall a specific example of how your boss coached your development or led the team through difficult times or motivated people with enthusiasm and care. It is the specificity which shows genuine appreciation. For a little fun, give some office supplies and attach an appreciative note. For example, a package of highlighters could be attached to a note saying, “Your superb leadership makes work a highlight of my life. Thanks for all you do to focus our attention on the big picture.” Or a box of rubber bands or paper clips could be accompanied by a note saying, “On Boss’s Day, I want to thank you for holding our team together with your vision and for being flexible and incorporating employee suggestions when appropriate.” Get it?

If you really want to purchase a gift, there are two ways to go: either purchase something expressly for the office environment (such as a desktop zen garden or fanciful stress toys) or give something the boss will definitely enjoy outside of work – such as a gift certificate to his favorite restaurant, a complement to her favorite sport, or tickets to an event you know the boss will like. Again, the tailoring of the gift to the uniqueness of the boss is what is important – inexpensive but customized is always better than a larger, generic gift. And don’t forget the value of the Dollar Store. If nothing else, a $1 Thank You balloon accompanied by a genuine note of appreciation will be valued a great deal.

If you do not have a good boss, look at this as an opportunity to encourage them to do better. Sometimes people live up (or down) to our expectations of them. Find something you can honestly say good about your boss and then write it on your note. You may be surprised that a little encouragement may actually do more than you might imagine in affecting a change for the better.

by J. Lenora Bresler