Did you know boss, or "bass" (pronounced bah-s) is a Dutch word from the 1600's meaning master?
When the Dutch colonies in Manhattan founded New Amsterdam they had a somewhat cordial relationship with their slaves. Then, when the English usurped control of the area and renamed the area New York, the slave residents didn't appreciate whatsoever the treatment they received. They did continue to use the term boss, but to avoid using the English word master. It wasn't a term of respect.
Now, here we are in 2016 using the word boss in everyday vocabulary.
Further, there's the notion that business owners, CEOs, Directors, Managers, have some sort of control over their employees.
Worse, from childhood we utter phrases like "you're not the boss of me" implying that someone could be and that'd be fine if they had unilateral control over our actions.
This needs to stop. What if the word boss was never uttered this way again?
What if we thought of a boss the way we think of an agent - someone earning a commission on our success and advocating for our advancement and excellence.
That's the kind of role I'd love to play for those around me.
When the Dutch colonies in Manhattan founded New Amsterdam they had a somewhat cordial relationship with their slaves. Then, when the English usurped control of the area and renamed the area New York, the slave residents didn't appreciate whatsoever the treatment they received. They did continue to use the term boss, but to avoid using the English word master. It wasn't a term of respect.
Now, here we are in 2016 using the word boss in everyday vocabulary.
Further, there's the notion that business owners, CEOs, Directors, Managers, have some sort of control over their employees.
Worse, from childhood we utter phrases like "you're not the boss of me" implying that someone could be and that'd be fine if they had unilateral control over our actions.
This needs to stop. What if the word boss was never uttered this way again?
What if we thought of a boss the way we think of an agent - someone earning a commission on our success and advocating for our advancement and excellence.
That's the kind of role I'd love to play for those around me.
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