The Boss’s Golden Rule: Stop Managing Yourself Like a Tyrant

Imagine you’ve got an employee—one who works hard, gives their best, and genuinely cares about the success of the business. But sometimes, life throws them curveballs: a sick day, a challenging client, or a complicated project that hits a snag.

What would you do as their boss?

You’d probably encourage them. You’d tell them it’s okay, remind them they’re doing great, and let them focus on the things they can control.

Now here’s the kicker: Why don’t you treat yourself the same way?

Enter: The Boss’s Golden Rule
The Boss’s Golden Rule is simple: Don’t be harder on yourself than you would be on someone working for you and doing their best. If you wouldn’t expect them to pull 80-hour weeks, solve every crisis, or carry the weight of the world on their shoulders, why are you expecting it from yourself?

The Problem with Being Your Own Worst Boss
Entrepreneurs have a bad habit of treating themselves like superhuman employees. We hold ourselves to impossibly high standards, micromanage our every move, and criticize ourselves over things we’d never blame on others. It’s the ultimate irony: You left the 9-to-5 grind to be your own boss, but you’ve turned into a tyrant.

Here’s the truth: You’re not a machine. You’re human. And humans need grace, balance, and a little kindness from their “boss.”

Why This Rule Matters
Life happens—sickness, setbacks, or just plain bad luck. If your default response is to double down on self-criticism or work yourself into the ground, you’ll burn out faster than you can say, “I need a break.” Treating yourself with fairness and understanding isn’t just nice—it’s essential for long-term success.

How to Follow the Boss’s Golden Rule:

1. Check Your Inner Dialogue: If your inner monologue sounds more like a drill sergeant than a supportive leader, rewrite the script. Replace “Why didn’t I fix this?” with “What’s the next best step?”
2. Set Fair Expectations: Just like you’d give an employee realistic goals, give yourself realistic daily goals. Perfection isn’t the benchmark—progress is.
3. Celebrate Effort, Not Just Results: Good bosses recognize hard work, even when the results aren’t perfect. Did you show up and do your best today? That’s worth celebrating.
4. Give Yourself a Break (Literally): Remember that recovery is part of productivity. No one does their best work when they’re exhausted—yourself included.

A Final Thought:
The next time you feel tempted to criticize yourself for falling short, ask this: Would I talk this way to someone on my team? If the answer is no, then it’s time to be the kind of boss who builds people up—even if that “person” is you.

Because here’s the thing: The best bosses don’t drive people into the ground—they inspire them to keep going. So inspire yourself. You’ve earned it.

Question for You:
What’s one way you can apply the Boss’s Golden Rule to your life or business this week? Start small—and start treating yourself like the MVP you are.