What?  You didn’t know that today is National Bosses Day?  Well perhaps your groveling peers did.  And in fear of losing their jobs during a time of economic crisis, they likely applied their limited wages toward the purchase of an unneeded bauble for presentation to the person who – by definition – already has more than them.  (Of course, the irony of the situation may be that the boss attributes the gift to excess wages, thus justifying a further reduction in pay.)

So how did National Bosses Day come to be?  Like all great stories, it began with the nepotistic dreams of one person:

“Patricia Bays Haroski registered ‘National Boss’s Day’ with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in 1958.  She was working as a secretary for State Farm Insurance Company in Deerfield, Illinois at the time and chose October 16 because it was the birthday of her boss, who happened to be her father.  Four years later in 1962, Illinois Governor Otto Kerner backed Haroski’s registration and officially proclaimed the day.”

• National Wait in Endless Line at the DMV Day
• National 20 Items in the 15 Item Grocery Lane Day
• National Disinterest in the Customer Day
• National Your Call is Very Important to Us Day

Sometimes a gift from the heart is the only answer, so take some time today to speak with your boss and thank her.  And when she looks at you sidewise (because she didn’t know it’s National Bosses Day), you can be ensured the circle of kiss-ups will continue.  Let’s keep the conversation going.

“We’ll start off with Amazing Things Are Happening Here! posted at Michael Lee Stallard. I’ve just exchanged blogroll links with Michael and really like what he has to say.

Next up is Steve Roesler, award winning leadership and talent management blogger, presenting How To Reduce Your Influence In A Few Easy Words posted at All Things Workplace.

Mary Jo Asmus makes it to the featured post list this month with Hit the Pause Button posted at Intentional Leadership.

Another newcomer, who I just started reading, is Prem Rao, with 7 Things Leadership Isn’t About posted at People at Work & Play.

Art Petty writes a nice piece on the fine line between leadership arrogance and confidence, with The Hubris of Leaders posted at Art Petty on Management.

I always enjoy reading what Nina Simosko has to say on the topic of leadership. Here she gives us Leadership Is About Skills Not Gender posted at NinaSimosko.com.”

So channel your inner Steve Carell and decide if you’d rather be Michael Scott (The Office) or Dan Burns (Dan in Real Office).  Let’s keep the conversation going.