Many business owners we’ve spoken with didn’t start with a huge team on day one. They had to learn how to be a good boss, but the problem is the books on leadership are often highly theoretical and so we wanted to hear practical examples of what it means to be a good boss. So, we asked some brilliant, insightful folks to share stories about the best bosses they’ve had.

Karen Garcia

The best boss I have ever had is my current boss. In addition to running our small business with my husband, we both have full-time jobs that take up the bulk of our time during the week. My boss hired me nine years ago, and she took somewhat of a risk, since I was a journalist previously and the world of advertising is a completely different style of writing. She took me under her wing and trained me. Read more>>

Terrice Thomas

One of the reasons Mentoring is so important to me is because I experienced it first hand from my boss during my first professional job. She took an interest in me that went beyond just my career, and helped me to grow personality as well. She also worked with me on those weaknesses she noticed giving me tools and advise on how to improve. Young professionals really need that guidance. So It helped to shape the type of boss I wanted to be as well. I try to make sure my employees are able to grow personally and professionally. Read more>>

Andrea Powell

The best boss I ever had (CW) taught me how to show up for myself in whatever environment I found myself in. We were both women of color working in a PWI where microaggressions were commonplace. This led to me be hyperaware and eventually anxious about being perceived as the stereotypical “angry black woman.” I found myself smiling and speaking in a higher tone to show myself more friendly, unaggressive, and thus more palatable for my coworkers. Read more>>

Shamika Battle-Packer

I remember one of my first jobs when I moved to Georgia right out of Graduate School was at a community service agency. I was brand new to the area and eager to start working. I had the absolute best experience with my boss, Tracey! She was charismatic, understanding and always made you feel heard. She was so good at what she did and how she listened to you, that you always felt like when she handed you something difficult or something you did not want to do, you would do it without complaints. Read more>>

Mark Gray

Wherever I have worked, my managers or directors have all been great. When I started working at Stonecrest hospital Denise Rowley hired me. She was awesome!!! Now I have a new director name Kyle Cooper he is awesome as well. He roll his sleeves up and works with us, we are like a family. And I also work with some wonderful people, Martha Duncan, Trish Ruggier, Rose Dimirack, Sabrina Zachery, and Jeremy Pegues aka Chef Majic. Read more>>