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.

Paige Tailyn

Imani Ellis! Imani had just finished a speaking engagement at The Gathering Spot. I made it home and It slipped my mind to put my phone on the charger before heading to bed. My phone died overnight which in-advertently meant my alarm would not wake me up at 8:00 am ( and one thing about it, Imma sleep). 11:00 am rolled around and I woke up in a frenzy and immediately called Imani. Paige: “OMG! Imani, I am so sorry! My phone died overnight and my alarm didn’t wake me up!” Imani: “Paige! I went into mom mode! I was so worried about you. You know Atlanta can be a little crazy. I was calling everyone to see who had seen you last. Take your time getting yourself together and hop online when you’re ready.” Read more>>

Kashish Kalita

I am just 11, so obviously I don’t have any boss per se. However, I would like to say my dad as a mentor to me, and occasionally he fills the place of a Boss. Yet, one of the best mentors ever! Not only he does kid-like fun activities with me, but he also teaches me life lessons, skills, and recommend books that can help me at my age and with my future and career. If at first, I don’t succeed, I ask my dad, because he’s SO supportive and hardworking. Read more>>

Kennette, Indria N/A

Indria- The best boss I’ve ever had name is Karl Douglas. He was like no other! Yes he was BOSS but he was also one of us (employees). Working in health care on the memory care unit, he understood that we had personal lives and things happened, he didn’t mind allowing us to come in late if need be or taking off if need be as long as we didn’t abuse his kindness. He understood that at work not everyday is a walk in the park and he would get down and dirty with us on the floor if he had to and even he just wanted to! Read more>>

Reginald Massey

Being in the hospitality industry for so many years, you have a fair share of bosses. Some good, some bad, and some just straight out ugly (meaning attitude no physical appearance). Each one you can learn from. Rather than it’s something that you like or dislike, it’s all a learning experience. One that stick out to me was my mentor, Chef Dane Scott. He was the first chef to open my eyes to the means to be a Chef/Leader. He pushed you to be better and to understand why we do things a certain way. He showed me how to lead and not dictate. And that no one position is more important than the other. We are all one team or in his words “a well-oiled machine”. Read more>>

Casey Gunschel

In my twenties I worked for a high end decorative painter in Chicago. Mary Lois had a fabulous southern drawl and a great eye for style, and I painted dining rooms, murals and fancy furniture pieces ups and down the coast of Lake Michigan for her for about ten years. Mary Lois was a wonderful boss because she trusted her employees and treated us (there were generally two to three of us) like talented, smart people capable of the job at hand – and we were great employees for it. We were doing artwork in her name, we knew it, and we painted as if it were our own. Read more>>

Lanota Fludd

One of the best mentors I had was a former supervisor. They had been in the business for multiple years and taught me the importance of balance. They shared with me that while it is extremely important to care for our clients it is also important to make sure that time is carved out to care for ourselves. It made a huge impact on my practice as in heeding their advice it has allowed me to be a better therapist to my clients as I am 100% focused on them and am able to provide them with stellar service due to being balanced. Read more>>