We often hear about bad bosses, but we think it’s important to talk about the good ones because we hope that by giving folks examples of how to be a good boss we can inspire future bosses to be better, to do better for their employees and all stakeholders.

Gabriel DeSanti

I may be a full-time creator, but within the 12+ years it took to get here, I worked all sorts of jobs. From food running in restaurants to pulling well pumps to entry-level engineering positions, I’ve dipped my toes in just about everything and I’ve learned a lot from my bosses along the way. Because of my vast array of experience, I’ve also discovered all different personality types in my bosses. In retrospect, I can see that some people are natural-born leaders, and others simply ended up in a position of power in their pursuit. While I’ve certainly learned from all of my bosses, one particularly sticks out. My first boss out of trade school was probably the best boss I’ve ever had. Read more>>

Ritchie Cherry

When I think of the word leader, Ms. Christle Reed is the first person who comes to mind. Since she joined the HR Talent team at Kansas City Public Schools just over two years ago, she hasn’t just led—she’s inspired.

She has this rare ability to balance professionalism with personality—bringing humor, warmth, and authenticity into every room she enters. Read more>>

Marina Carreira

I have worked in higher education for over 17 years under the leadership of many great people, but my current boss is the best yet. Dr. Sancha K. Gray, Senior Vice President of Entrepreneurial Educational Initiatives and Acting Dean for the College of Education at Kean University, has been a profoundly impactful mentor for me as Managing Assistant Director for the Dean’s Office. Dr. Gray’s visionary leadership, commitment to excellence, and unwavering support for both students, faculty and staff created a culture of empowerment and innovation, one where I feel continuously motivated to be the greatest student advocate and cheerleader of educators everywhere. Read more>>

Lena Pousette

I did an acting job for an interactive game company and when they found out I was a writer they ended up hiring me to write an interactive film for them. It’s very different from writing linear but I enjoyed it immensely. Read more>>

Adit Poonia

I’ve only had one boss so far in my career as an architect — Alok Shetty at Bhumiputra Architecture — but I feel lucky that it was him. The firm is young, ambitious, and full of momentum, and that energy flowed directly from him to the entire team. The ethos was always about shaking the status quo and going above and beyond what was expected, and that mindset pushed all of us to work harder and think bigger. Read more>>

Xudong Xing

My boss, Rita Shao, is the most admirable leader I’ve ever worked with. She is not only my current supervisor but also a patient and wise mentor who has played a pivotal role in my professional growth.

Rita taught me that being a manager means more than being accountable for business outcomes—it also means being responsible for the development of your team members. She often reminded me that true leadership isn’t about assigning tasks, but about understanding each team member’s career path and emotional state, and aligning that with business goals Read more>>

Kaityn Howell

I worked at a local quilt shop for several years before and after serving an 18-month mission for my church. Before I left, I had the chance to learn from and admire one of our regular customers—a prolific pattern designer and quilter named Annie. She was always eager to teach and generously share her knowledge. Read more>>

Brittany Fiebiger

My current boss, Laurie is amazing. She is a trailblazer in her industry, inspiring and a true boss. I have known her for close to 15 years and started out as her social media manager and friend. When she switched companies to Aluma Medical Aesthetics, she asked me to come along with her as her assistant in clinic – best decision I ever made. The knowledge I have gained from her is next to none, both personally and professionally. I am inspired by her daily by the time, care and education she gives each patient. In a fast-growing industry I appreciate that she takes her time and educates each and every patient that walks through our door. Taking the initiative to do that I think makes her a great leader. Read more>>