BNET Business Dictionary
Business Definition for: Boss
- the person in charge of a job, process, department, or organization, more formally known as a manager or supervisor
Wiktionary Definition for: Boss
- slang of excellent quality, first-rate
- A person in charge of a business or company.
- Ex:* Chat turned to whisper when the '''boss''' entered the conference room.
- A person who oversees and directs the work of others; a supervisor.
- Ex:* My '''boss''' complains that I'm always late to work.
- A leader, the head of an organized group or team.
- Ex:* They named him '''boss''' because he had good leadership skills.
- The head of a political party in a given region or district.
- Ex:* He is the Republican '''boss''' in Kentucky.
- context mechanical A protrusion, frequently a cylinder of material that extends beyond a hole.
- architecture A knob or projection, usually at the intersection of ribs in a vault.
- To exercise authoritative control; to lord over; to boss around; to tell someone what to do, often repeatedly.
- Ex:* You aren't my father. You can't '''boss''' me around!.
- rare To decorate with bosses; to emboss.
Additional Resources
- How to Manage Your Boss
- It's nice to imagine that the success of your career rests upon your basic competence at doing your job, but that's only half the picture. Make "Keeping the Boss in the Loop" a Regular Activity Goal: Reassure your boss that you know...
- Articles 2007-03-07
- Can You Sell Your Idea... to Your Boss?
- Got an idea that could kick your career into overdrive?  Good for you! But be forewarned: selling an idea is not like selling a product. With a product, customers can see what they're buying. With an idea, there's nothing to see except little ol' you. Here's an interactive game that...
- Blog posts 2009-06-02
- Dealing with a Difficult Boss
- Do you have a difficult or challenging relationship with your boss? You are not alone. Of all the less-than-perfect interactions you may have at work, this will probably be the trickiest and most stressful because of the inherent political dynamic of your relationship. Many people tend to lay the blame...
- Articles 2007-02-15
- Building an Alliance with Your Boss
- Does your work life seem like a Dilbert cartoon? Career ladders are often populated with superiors like Dilbert's, who are anything but the ideal manager. Inept, disorganized, power hungry, or downright mean—bad bosses come in all sizes and shapes. Often, they're so busy with their own careers that they're blind...
- Articles 2007-10-09
- My Boss's Boss Is Trying To Recruit Me -- And My Boss Doesn't Know
- Dear Ron, My boss's boss has recently been asking me out to lunch and asking for information about how things are going. I know that he and my direct boss don't always see eye-to-eye; how should I handle these overtures? It seems pretty clear that there's some...
- Blog posts 2009-07-31
- Troubleshoot Bad Boss Behavior
- Troubleshoot Bad Boss BehaviorBad Boss BehaviorWhile interesting, I think that you are missing one value issue: the workplace bully. An increasing behaviour, which unfortunately none of your suggestions would even come close to addressing. Maybe something for an future article as this is a all too real...
- Discussion threads 2007-03-09
- Responding to the Toxic Boss
- Responding to the Toxic BossRE: Responding to the Toxic Boss"Don't react" is okay, but get out as soon as you can. In the early 80s I was a legal secretary to a Type A woman who had 4 ft. stacks of briefs all over the floor of her office,...
- Discussion threads 2008-10-02
- Help! I've Upset My Boss!
- Dear Ron, I've been pressing my boss for what I feel is a long-overdue raise, but the last time I asked, he blew up at me and he's been giving me the cold shoulder ever since. How can I work my way back into his good graces? ...
- Blog posts 2009-10-23
- So When Did Your Boss Become an Authoritarian?
- So When Did Your Boss Become an Authoritarian?RE: So When Did Your Boss Become an Authoritarian?Responsibility accountability and authority, these should go hand in hand. Sometimes there is a disconnect as well as a person may be given the authority and responsibility but not given guidance on the limits...
- Discussion threads 2008-08-19
- Is Loyalty to the Boss Mandatory?
- Dear Ron, I just started a new job and my boss has already made it clear he expects a lot of loyalty and allegiance from me. I'm not sure I want to commit to that yet, so what should I do in the meantime? ...
- Blog posts 2009-09-24
- Help! My Boss Is Micro-Managing Me!
- Dear Ron, My boss second-guesses everything I do to the point that it seriously interferes with my ability to get anything done. I feel like she may still be attached to the duties she had when she was in my position she was recently promoted, thus...
- Blog posts 2009-10-30
- Troubleshoot Bad Boss Behavior
- It's an occupational hazard: Even the best bosses sometimes act like jackasses. Boss Problem: Chronic Micromanagement Your Solution: Build a detailed plan for your projects, with regular milestones where you will report back for feedback. Invite your boss to review the plan and adjust it...
- Articles 2007-03-07
- Hate Your Boss? Manage Up to Stay Sane
- The Find: If you've reached that point where it's no longer possible to convince yourself you don't hate your boss, all is not lost, thanks to these tips on how to "manage up" and make the best of a bad situation. The Source: An article by career...
- Blog posts 2008-11-28
- Help! My Boss Is Trying To Take Credit For My Ideas
- Dear Ron, My boss is desperate to show his bosses that he's able to come up with good ideas and so he wants to take credit for my work. I feel like one of those characters from that movie, 9 To 5. What should I do?...
- Blog posts 2009-09-17
- Has the Recession Stress-Tested Your Boss?
- I've seen at least three separate pieces of research in as many weeks that suggest around a third of us don't particularly like our CEOs. And? Aren't we supposed to dislike our bosses? At least a third of us probably should, because we all look for different things in what...
- Blog posts 2009-09-28
- Ten Warning Signs of a Crummy Boss
- The Find: A ten question checklist to help those looking for a job or shopping around for a new department discover if their prospective boss is a jerk or an incompetent. The Source: Management guru Bob Sutton's Work Matters blog. The Takeaway: Right now...
- Blog posts 2009-02-18
- When the Worst Employee Is the Boss's Son
- Dear Stanley, I work for a very small company where one of my co-workers is my boss's son. I've only been here about four months and in that time the son has been to work maybe half the days. For example,...
- Blog posts 2009-02-25
- My Boss Doesn't Value My Opinion
- Dear Ron, Whenever I say something in meetings or even privately, my boss dismisses my opinions and either goes with her own ideas or those of one of her favorites in our group. I'm productive and I think valued by other people in the company so I'm...
- Blog posts 2009-10-02
- Weighing the Pros and Cons of Becoming Your Own Boss
- People consider self-employment for many different reasons, ranging from the allure of not having a boss, to the excitement of being an entrepreneur.Regardless of your motivation, you'll need to ascertain if you have the skills required to manage yourself effectively. You'll also need to weigh the pros of cons of...
- Articles 2007-11-14
- My Boss Doesn't Seem To Have My Back
- Dear Ron, Several senior managers have complimented me several times and have helped move me to good assignments. However, my immediate boss has tended to remain neutral and has expressed no interest in developing my career. How concerned should I be? However your boss feels about...
- Blog posts 2009-06-25
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