19 Lessons From My Favorite Bosses

According to Fast Company, the average time someone stays in a job is 4.4 years. I'm still pretty young, and I can confidently say that my average in this regard is no where near the aforementioned statistic.

Fun Fact: I received for my first paycheck when I was 16-years-old. Believe it or not I was an amateur model, learning the ropes and doing odd jobs at malls and large events. What happen to that you ask? Well, one day I realized I liked burgers...and just like that I willingly relinquished my modeling career. ;)

My teens and early twenties were spent working in different departments at my alma mater (Southeastern University), and this gave me the opportunity to work with and for a handful of great bosses.

Long story short, I've learned a lot over the last 10 years of my collegiate and professional career. I am still learning! My hope is that you will take to heart the lessons that have shaped me over the years, and that I have allowed to influenced my life and leadership.

19 Lessons I've Learned From My Favorite Bosses

1. Wake-up early & beat the day.
2. Ask good questions. The kind that require thoughtful and meaningful responses. Practicing empathy in life and in business is key.
3. Embrace who you are, and the strengths that you bring to the team.
4. You can do more than you think you can do.
5. Dress for the job you want.
6. Conflict isn’t war. Conflict is simply a conversation. An opportunity for mutual growth and understanding.
7. In terms of conflict, ask yourself “Is this the hill to die on?”
8. Out-read them.
9. Allow your leaders space to be generous with you.
10. Believe the best in others (especially in yourself).
11. When you get mad, you look bad. Learn how to to respond, not react.
12. Celebration is necessary for building healthy teams.
13. Proximity is everything.
14. Learn to lead from all levels of the organization.
15. The harder the conversation, the greater the measure of grace you must use.
16. Be generous.
17. Don’t be afraid to laugh and have a good time while you're at work. Laughter is contagious!
18. There is zero substitute for hard work and preparation.
19. Never stop learning and growing. Stretch yourself. Take on new challenges and don't be afraid if you make mistakes along the way.

And here's a bonus lesson that I have really begun internalizing more recently:

BONUS: Creativity is truly for everyone! Yes, that includes you!
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Did you find this list helpful? What are some lessons that you have learned from your favorite bosses? Share them in the comments section below!

Stasia Rose