Alesha Dixon

My friends say that at school I was quite bossy. I still am a bit bossy, but a nice bossy. I've always been very strong-minded, even as a little girl. But I'm a great friend, and I've never been in a fight in my life. I think it's nice to be nice, especially because I've never been scared to stick up for myself. I'm not a shrinking violet.

British Musician

Condoleezza Rice

I remember, when I was 6 years old, we were having an event at school where different dolls were on display. I said that the tallest doll needed to be on the end, and my little friend said to me, 'Oh, you're just so bossy.' I remember thinking that wasn't a good thing. But I kept insisting the doll had to be on the end anyway.

American Statesman

Adam Grant

If we want girls to receive positive reinforcement for early acts of leadership, let's discourage bossy behavior along with banning bossy labels. That means teaching girls to engage in behaviors that earn admiration before they assert their authority.

American Author

Heidi Klum

I'm not quite that difficult, even though maybe I'm a little bit bossy. But you know, in order to get things done, you do have to be a little bit bossy sometimes or tell people what you really want. Otherwise, things just don't get done, do they?

German Model

Sheryl Sandberg

Our discomfort with female leadership runs deep. We call little girls bossy. We never really call little boys bossy, because a boy is expected to lead, so it doesn't surprise or offend.

American Businesswoman

Connie Britton

My twin sister, my cousin, and I used to write and perform plays for my family. We raided the closets for costumes and fought over parts. I'm sure I was the bossiest one.

American Actress

Star Jones

No, you're not allowed to be bossy when you're married. You have to learn compromise, and compassion and patience.

American Entertainer

Jen Lancaster

In real life, I tend to yell at people a lot. Not because I'm bossy or mean, but because I'm frustrated.

Margot Robbie

I swear I'm not bossy in any other aspect of my life - it's just on set.

Australian Actress

Ida Lupino

Keeping a feminine approach is vital - men hate bossy females.

English Actress

Bossy often has a negative feel, suggesting someone is being too controlling.

Negative Connotation

Use 'bossy' to describe someone in a casual, informal context, typically interpersonal relationships.

Personal Relationships

'Bossy' can describe a style of leadership or management that might be unpopular.

Workplace Context

Confusing assertiveness with aggression can lead to misusing 'bossy'. Assertive is positive, bossy is not.

Assertiveness vs Aggression

Don't use 'bossy' when someone is making a polite request; it's for unnecessarily authoritative demands.

Not for Polite Request

'Bossy' can be used about someone's tone even if they don’t have authority, hinting at their attitude.

Tone of Voice

Using 'bossy' in formal feedback might seem unprofessional. Opt for 'strong-willed' or similar terms.

Avoid in Formal Feedback

 because if a little boy leads, there's no negative word for it, it's expected. But if a little girl leads, she's bossy. Now I know there aren't a lot of men here, but bear with me. If you're a man, you'll have to represent your gender. Please raise your hand if you've been told you're too aggressive at work.

Sheryl Sandberg: So we...

 we are raising only consumers instead of creators. This whole quest led me to this little girl. Her name is Ruby, she is six years old. She is completely fearless, imaginative and a little bit bossy. And every time I would run into a problem in trying to teach myself programming like,

A delightful way to...

 highest respected navigator in that region and we're watching the volcano and out of nowhere he just kind of quietly says I'm ready for the big one within 10 seconds of him saying that a volcano I'll do the biggest eruption of the day Morgan somehow this is the bossy

Robot vs. Volcano:...

 how you all love bossy donnas so much as she's I think she's more your favorites and maybe I am to some of you and my dad sent me a message today saying that my mother's not speaking to him or hasn't spoken to him for the last two hours so I said what did you do

Safari Live - Day 178 PIPE...

 these bossy adult females form strong bonds with their offspring especially the males all babies are intimately cared for through the first five years but eventually young female bonobos must leave the truth and find another troop

Bonobo Chimps: Girls...

Bonobo: the Female Alpha...

 sweet little hyena there we go being quite affectionate to one another just sort of smelling and licking where's that bossy cub that was Archie a moment ago I'm sure he'll come through and stir a bit of trouble like it always

The 5 Musketeers Eat...

 a helping hand the other adult females are feather sisters and the male's come from different packs like um the rest behind us it's one big happy family where everyone pitches in feathers older sister bossy is the lead

How Pack Mentality...

 feathers older sister bossy is the lead hunter by sharing the workload the pack runs like a well-oiled machine all the whistle chasing coming he's

Loving Wild Dogs Hunt...

 we came to Paulie spot son of a bossy animals got a bent