Scroll through social media on any random weekday and you’ll see a familiar storyline: the modern workplace has a clear villain, and it’s rarely the workload, the economy, or the deadlines. It’s the boss — the micromanager, the tyrant, the “my-way-or-resign” authoritarian who seems to care very little about the people keeping the organisation alive.

Your feed is full of screenshots and rant threads. Managers humiliating staff in meetings. Supervisors mistaking intimidation for efficiency. Executives treating basic respect like a luxury item. The language around leadership online is sharp because many of those stories are painfully real. Plenty of managers should never have been trusted with authority, and countless workers are carrying quiet scars from years of disrespect marketed as “professionalism.”

Over time, the stereotype becomes convenient: leadership is performance, not practice; authority is ego, not responsibility; and bosses are, by default, harmful. It becomes normal to expect the worst.

But here is the plot twist the timeline rarely admits: the idea that all bosses are automatically harmful is lazy, and it ignores the leaders who quietly run healthy teams that never go viral precisely because they are not chaotic. The stereotype of the universally bad boss is powerful and emotionally satisfying, but it is not complete, and it hides the truth that there are good bosses whose impact on people and organisations is calmer, steadier and far more transformative than the drama created by the worst examples.

The “All Bosses Are Trash” Myth

Saying “all bosses are trash” is a protective instinct. When you’ve been embarrassed in public, denied growth, or criticised more than coached, lowering your expectations feels like survival. Many workers aren’t dramatic, just wounded. And when wounds become patterns, they turn into warning labels.

The stereotype also ignores reality: many managers are sandwiched between pressure from above and demands from below. That context doesn’t excuse harmful behaviour, but it explains why some bosses crack… and why others, facing the same pressure, choose a different path, one grounded in trust, fairness, and accountability.

The truth is not “all bosses are bad” or “all bosses are good”; the truth is that some are harmful, some are trying and learning, and some are quietly building environments people actually want to stay in.

So What Does A Good Boss Actually Do?

If you only judge leadership based on the horror stories, you would think the main job of a boss is to shout, send all caps emails and schedule meetings that could have been a voice note. In real life, the most important things good bosses do are much less dramatic and much more powerful.

Bad bosses create chaos; good bosses create capacity. Instead of running teams on constant panic and last minute fixes, they care about structure and clarity. People know what success looks like before they are corrected. They are not blindsided by random deadlines or secret expectations.

When confusion starts to build, a good boss does not wait for an explosion; they check in, explain, redirect and make sure everyone is on the same page.

There is also the emotional side of leadership that almost never gets posted, which is the thing researchers call psychological safety. It basically means you feel safe to speak up, ask questions and admit mistakes without being punished or mocked.

Bad bosses destroy that safety every time they react to problems with anger, sarcasm or cold silence. Good bosses do the opposite; they listen first, ask what actually happened and focus on fixing the situation instead of just fixing blame.

Over time, that kind of leadership quietly changes everything. People learn faster because they are not scared to ask questions. Systems get stronger because problems come to the surface early instead of hiding in the dark. The team can handle more complexity without everyone burning out. It is not flashy, but it is the difference between a workplace you are only surviving and a workplace where you actually grow.

The Plot Twist We Know In Real Life: Mr Mark Odigie

This is not just theory or motivational talk; it becomes real when you look at an actual person who lives it out. Leadership is not a magic personality; it is a set of choices repeated every day, and some bosses genuinely choose to be different.

The presence of bad bosses does not mean every boss is destined to cause harm; it just means that power handled carelessly can leave deep wounds, while power handled with integrity, self awareness and patience can create the stability, clarity and sense of safety that so many workers say they want but rarely get.

A birthday is one of those rare moments when everyone slows down long enough to say thank you properly, and this year that moment belongs to Mr Mark Odigie, a leader who has consistently told a better story about what a boss can be just by the way he shows up every day.

While the internet is busy amplifying tales of humiliation and micromanagement, his example quietly proves that authority can be firm without being harsh, decisive without being arrogant and demanding without being dehumanising.

People who work with him do not describe a man who barks orders from a distance; they talk about someone who gives context rather than just commands, who stands up for his team in difficult rooms, who corrects without shaming and who pays attention not only to numbers on a spreadsheet but also to the emotional temperature in the room.

They talk about intense weeks that still feel manageable because communication is clear, about feedback that may sting in the moment but ends up unlocking real growth and about the quiet confidence that comes from knowing their boss will not use their mistakes as material for public performance.

When some people say they are just surviving their bosses, his staff talk about how they have learned, progressed and even rediscovered their enthusiasm for work under his guidance, and how his belief in them has often shown up exactly when they were starting to doubt themselves.

As colleagues, friends and team members come together to celebrate his new year of life, their stories are living proof that not all bosses are bad, that good leadership still exists, and that when it is practised with consistency, humility and courage, it changes everything about what it feels like to come to work, not only on a birthday, but on every ordinary day in between.

In honour of his birthday, we asked his staff to describe Mr. Mark Odigie in their own words, and here is what they had to say.

He listens with intention, gives chances others would not risk, and leads with a genuinely big heart.

— Joseph Ebasa

Mr Mark is a compassionate leader, and I deeply cherish his kindness, which has defined most of my experience working with him. I also admire his foresight, the way he sees things with an understanding heart and his ability to handle issues with wisdom and calm. I am glad I came in contact with him, because through the platform he has given me, I have been able to develop myself and grow in my skills.

— David Bassy

Working with him over the years has shown me what true leadership really looks like. He is caring, compassionate and genuinely interested in our growth, both professionally and personally. He corrects with patience, gives us room to learn and always pushes us to stay on our A-game. He is not just a boss, he is a big brother figure who guides, supports and looks out for us. I am truly grateful for his leadership.

— Jay Dhabi

I have not worked with Mr Mark for very long, but in the short time I have, I have noticed how he relates with his staff and it is clear he is a really cool and genuinely nice person. I have also heard a lot of good things about him, especially from my friend Timmy, and one thing that stands out is how generous he is. Those are the things I really like about Mr Mark, and if he gets to read this, I truly wish him the very best in his new age. 🥳

— Benjamin

Mr Mark stands out among many individuals I have worked with because he creates an environment where you can actually grow, not just work. He communicates clearly, listens attentively and makes collaboration straightforward. Working with him does not feel heavy; he makes the process smooth, productive and genuinely enjoyable. He is literally a fun boss. 😌🤝

— Timilehin AKA Timmy.

He loves to smile, and he always walks into the office with a bright smile on his face. He is also a cheerful giver who gives generously, often before you even think to ask. 😌

— Fiyin

What I like most about Mr Mark is how open and approachable he is. He treats everyone with genuine kindness, leads with a generous heart and always creates room for others to grow. His ability to make people feel valued while inspiring them to do better is something I deeply admire.

— Flora

I love that he is easy going and open minded in conversations. You can talk to him freely and know you will be heard.

— Precious

He is a giver. His life is not hard; he does not stress or complicate things unnecessarily, and being around him feels light.

— Darasimi

Mhen, this man is a great man. I love that even though he is a very serious hard worker and businessman, he still puts people’s health and lives first. He tries as much as he can to make everyone work together and feel comfortable. He is well established, yet still an ardent team player who would always rather build with the team than stand above them. He is very chill and approachable most of the time, and not many bosses are like that. At the end of the day, you can tell he genuinely wants the best for everyone.

— David Ehijie

I am new to the work system, but in the short times I have come in contact with him, he has been consistently nice and caring. He can be a little bit strict, but in a way that keeps everyone focused, and it feels completely normal and necessary.

— Gbemisola

Personally, there is so much I could say about how amazing he is, but to keep it short, he is the most amazing boss I have ever worked with. I love that his focus is not just on hiring people to build his companies, but also on investing in the people who work with him. I also really respect how he embraces ideas and contributions from everyone on the team; he is always open to hearing you out, accepting your ideas and giving you a real chance to prove yourself. It is so easy to see how much he wants the best for everyone. I describe him as a Gen z boss because he is more Gen Z than everyone. 😂

— Owobu Maureen

He is kind, he pays attention to details and he always encourages people to do more by learning, instead of staying comfortable at whatever skill level they are currently at.

— Ajayi Franklin

So as we celebrate his birthday, we are not just marking another year of his life, we are celebrating the impact of his choices, his character and his heart on everyone who has had the privilege to work with him. May this new year bring him even more wisdom, strength and joy, and may he continue to be living proof that not all bosses are bad and that leadership done with love, courage and integrity will always stand out. Happy birthday, Mr Mark Odigie. From ZealNews Africa and TechMall Nigeria, We Love You!