Bossing around, are we?

A fine line exists between bossing around and delegating.

Delegating is when you make the other person feel that he is integral to the group. Bossing around is when you make the other person feel as if a) you’re just passing on a task that is supposed to be yours; b) you feel very superior that he should just do whatever you say without question, because he is a subordinate; c) all of the above.

Whenever the manner of delegating tasks is totally devoid of “Please” or any other word synonymous to it, it is borderline bossing around. The clincher now lies on how you make the other person feel. Do you make him feel inferior, or do you make him feel like a part of a team?

And how about you, what do you feel? Do you feel superior over your subordinates? Do you think you could do better, and therefore do not need to give importance to them and their feelings?

The funny thing is, one doesn’t even have to be a leader or boss to be able to boss others around. Insecure people do this as a defense mechanism. Also, brattinellas do this simply because they have the notion of being the center of the universe – or whichever entity they're currently in (office, family etc). Maangas guys also do this just to prove their machismo, because they have nothing else.

Of course we all have our own reasons. But the general rule is to be humble. The rest will follow.

Ciao!

p.s. I'm not talking about my immediate superior (jemmi) because she is my soul-sister. She knows when to give out a firm order and when not to. And I know her well enough not to misconstrue her actions. (ok na, jemmi? hehehe!)