In my career, I've encountered more bosses with negative characteristics than positive ones. Some of my past supervisors were uninterested in their employees and only focused on giving orders.

One particularly difficult boss was from an old restaurant job I held a while back. She was highly emotional and wanted to be friends with everyone at work. However, when you tried to set boundaries, she would react negatively. If you upset her, she would take days off your work schedule or remove you from it entirely, very immature behavior.

She was also deeply involved in gossip and didn't care about the consequences of what she spread. Everything became personal, despite the professional setting. We couldn't take sick leave without a doctor's note, and often she would ask, "How bad do you feel? Can you come in for half the shift?" There was no support from her whatsoever.

Speaking frankly with her or providing feedback was not an option, as there was no confidence that we wouldn't be punished for being honest. Different people filed complaints against her, but no action was ever taken. One reason for this inaction was that she was dating the boss's son. The work environment was incredibly toxic, and 99% of it stemmed from her lack of leadership and coaching abilities.

I have had memorable moments with two bosses from the same company, but one stands out. He was my first supervisor when I was hired as a social media manager and online sales manager (didn't have anyone under me). He was a breath of fresh air and very approachable regarding any matter. Although we didn't have many one-on-ones, we maintained constant communication despite being in different locations. He would stop by at least once daily to check on how I was doing.

He encouraged me to continue bettering myself by taking professional development classes, which were optional and not many employees took advantage of. He urged me to pursue my education so I could excel in my current role or explore opportunities outside the company if I chose to do so. I had never experienced this kind of support from a supervisor before; it felt nice to be appreciated and respected. He advised me to keep a work journal, or what he called a "Love-Me Page." Writing down all my accomplishments throughout the year makes it easier when my annual review comes, as I can showcase what I've achieved. He was not just a boss but a leader; he cared, maintained boundaries, had the skills to provide constructive feedback, and, most importantly, coached me to keep improving myself.