Does one barely succeed in being boss? (7)
I believe the answer is:
manager
'being boss?' is the definition.
(thesaurus)
I can't explain the remainder of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for manager that I've seen before include "Decision-maker" , "Coach" , "Administrator" , "Person in charge of staff" , "One in charge of staff" .)