WHO DO YOU WANT TO BE A BOSS OR A LEADER?

There are many key differences between a boss and a leader, and it is important that you analyze your leadership style to ensure that you are effectively steering your team in the right direction. Keep in mind, though, that even those who start out with less effective management skills can modify their behavior to become good leaders. The answer on how to be a leader, not a boss is to remember that leaders are those that are more invested in the success of their employees and the organization then in their own success. They understand that if those around them are successful, they too will be.

Being a leader and being a boss are often used interchangeably around the world. But do these terms mean the same? Let’s start with a quote to understand leadership first:

“Leadership is about inspiring people to do things they never thought they could”- Steve Jobs

This famous quote by Steve Jobs says it all. Statistics taken from organizations around the world show that the success of any company remains questionable if the people at the top management are bosses instead of leaders. As per a recent study conducted by Robert Half, 49% of employees quit their jobs due to bad leadership.

Boss is a term or title bestowed to you. Transforming this title into a leader is what marks your and your organization’s success. Maybe that’s what they mean when it is said- “Be a boss with a difference”?

Did you get a promotion recently? Congratulations. You have been working hard for years to finally get promoted to a management role. But, before you start your journey into this dream position of yours, take a look inside yourself and understand how well-pruned are your leadership skills? How can you differentiate yourself from being a leader to a boss?

In this article, we will help you find the real difference between a boss and a leader and why becoming the latter can help you and your organization succeed? So read on!

Distinction between a Boss and a Leader

There is no dearth of real-life stories of bad bosses with their horrifying acts online. Upon googling the term bad bosses, we get about 7,66,00,000 results in 0.60 seconds. This supports the notion that horrible bosses are found in plenty. Now, what is it that differentiates a leader from a boss, here are a few pointers to shed some light on the same.

• Bosses bluntly ask you to get things done whereas leaders make sure you understand what and why you are doing it.
• Bosses are concerned about the work, work and work alone, but leaders on the other hand are able to handle both work and the person doing the work in a balanced manner.
• Bosses just consider you as a path towards success whereas leaders make you a part of their success as well.
• Bosses hold you and you alone accountable for the work that you have delivered but leaders ensure that you are taught the lesson of self-accountability in the right way.
• Leaders always make sure to leave a positive impact on the people but bosses on the other hand are only concerned about themselves.
• Leaders are influential, but bosses aren’t.
• Leaders focus and teach you on how to be successful using the right path, whereas bosses simply wish to get things right, regardless of the path chosen.
• Leaders are a passionate lot whereas bosses are driven by the fear factor alone.
• Leaders make sure that his team grows along with him; however, the boss will be happy to see you remain where you are forever.
• Leaders respect their co-workers and the team, whereas bosses just don’t care about anyone else.
• A leader finds happiness in the team’s success whereas a boss only wishes to see his own success.

In being a leader what are the most important qualities that one must have?

Now, this is one thing that you cannot miss out on because with great leadership comes great responsibilities that also include:

• Effective Communication- Make sure that the team understands their responsibilities very well, and this can only be achieved if you make sure that you have communicated right.
• Great Motivator- Ensure that you keep your team highly motivated because this in turn will leave the team to perform their best.
• Team handling skills- Show equality to the entire team, and respect each and every team member as this will help the team understand the greatness of their leader.
• Good Listener- Have the heart to listen to your team’s problems or issues that they face while completing the task assigned to them, this will only enhance the speed of the people in your team.
• Great problem solver- Whenever a team member approaches with difficulty or issue that they are facing, make sure that you leave no stone unturned to get it rectified at the earliest possible.
• Responsible Enough- Take accountability for your team and teach your team to do the same.
• Empowerment- When the team is empowered, they can create positive output and better results.
• Integrity and Trust- Make sure that your team is given an open-door policy and strictly adhere to honesty and truthfulness whilst handling the team, as this will leave your team understanding and believing in you as a leader.

How to be a good leader?

If you have managed to have these values and qualities, then it would be alright to assume that you can make a good leader and stand out from the crowd of bosses on the whole.

1. Positive towards life- Now there is a need to understand that only a person who looks positively towards life can only be positive towards work and leave a good influence on the team.
2. Empathy- Have the heart to consider your team first as human beings and then your team, because only with empathy will you be able to bring the best potential out of your team.
3. Inspire- Make sure to leave the team inspired to achieve the best out of them.
4. Strong- Stay strong and upfront for your team, so that the team stays bonded and unite all the way through.
5. Resilience- Show your team that you are one hundred per cent available to back up and support your team.

If these factors are kept in mind, then there is no looking back from being a great leader as well as a wonderful human being as well.