Sometimes I really miss my boss

Peter Crocker

You stroll into your boss’ office, flick your resignation letter nonchalantly onto the desk and explain precisely what they can do with their stinking job. Then you swan out to the cheers of your workmates. Or so goes the fantasy.

Much of the appeal of working for yourself is escaping the annoying, incompetent and/or bullying bosses that make your life a misery. But when you leave employment to run your own show it’s not just those bosses that you leave behind.

What about the great bosses? The ones that motivate you, guide you, teach you all the tricks of the trade and swoop in if a project hits the fan.

In any large organisation there are plenty of genuine leaders whose role it is to develop talented employees. If you’re a standout company performer, your progress up the career ladder can become a natural progression.

As a soloist, it is great that there’s no one breathing down your neck telling you what to do. But there’s also no one patting you on the back, advising your next move and looking out for your career. No strategic roadmaps. No performance review. No career plans. No fast track programs.

So, what do soloists do when it’s time for a change? For me the end of each year brings a period of reassessment. Whether it’s looking for a clear direction or assessing opportunities, these are the times when I miss being able to book a meeting with the boss to map out a solid plan.

One great solution is to find an experienced business mentor who is willing to sit with you a few times a year and be your sounding board.

Is having no leader an issue for you? How do you cope? Do you honestly ever miss your boss? Do you have a mentor? Any good resignation tales? I’d love to hear your views.

I would ask my boss, but I don’t have one!

Until next time,

Love your work,

Peter Crocker is a director of Flying Solo responsible for the areas of marketing and advertising. He is a business copywriter specialising in websites, videos and marketing communications.

31 comments | Add your own 1 2 3 4 5 | Next» View all»

~~escaping the annoying, incompetent and/or bullying bosses that make your life a misery ~~ Peter sounds like you worked for the same succession of bad bosses I did. Heather Smith from Brisbane
Its hard to miss what I've never experienced - that is a "good" boss that was inspiring and influential. (and I'm 30). BUT, i have a great resignation story - sort of. To keep it short and sweet - about a week before I was prepared to give notice, I was laid off :) Needless to say it was a SCREAMING sign that my decision to move on and do my own thing was the right one, I was even given corporate sponsorship for the first few months ;) Jason from Jamison PA USA
I've never had a boss - though there was one person who tried to be.
What's most important is someone to listen - if you need information to help with specific problems then there are many places to find it.
My reviews occur in relation to goals rather than time. Evan Hadkins from Sydney, Australia
Wow, I love reading your newsletters but I have to admit that for me you have completely missed the mark this week. Not only that but I can only have compassion for those who are working in an environment that they are unhappy with. For anyone looking for one of those great bosses you would miss if you moved on -- you can experience mine Pam from Melbourne
I haven't had a boss for 23 years, but I've had a mixture of good and bad. I've never used a mentor, but I have a number of friends who are self employed, and when I need a reality check/advice/encouragement about not having enough work/having too much work/not wanting to charge more for fear of losing work/dealing with a difficult client, I talk to one of them. I take heart in realising that we are all experiencing the same stuff!
Pam (number 2) from Melbourne Pam Kershaw from Melbourne
I used to have a boss who was inspiring on the one hand because she recognised my potential but utterly frustrating on the other as she found it impossible to let anything go. My decision to go solo was both a lifestyle choice and not wanting the breathing down the neck aspect of working for someone else. I'm very self motivated so my successes with clients. If I'm a little less enthusiastic with my work time and pursuing new work I have my other 'boss' who's very quick to crack the whip! I also have a great group of friends that are all talented in what they do who constantly tell me how well I'm doing. And, when they forget I just tell them how brilliant I am! A self pat on the back every now and then goes a long way to keeping the motivation going. I also have a reassessment of what I would like to achieve at the beginning of the year and set directions to get there. Karen Morris from Sydney | Read my articles

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