Understanding the boss vs. leader dynamic is an important part of personal and professional growth. The words mean almost the same but in reality, they are different.
A Boss Or A Leader
Do you know any? Do you have one? Are you the one? Or is your friend the one?
Happy to be back on the writing path after a short sabbatical break which had been caused by my busy schedule. Writing is an art which l love and l do it passionately not because of the gains but l know and believe every piece l publish might help someone. It may not be today but we never know what the future holds. You may find the piece useful and helpful.
Let’s get going, the referee is on the pitch and the players are ready!
The boss / leader topic is one of the interesting in working environments and because of grapevine, only the employees know if someone is a boss or a leader. Some people might use the terms “boss” and “leader” interchangeably, but that’s not entirely accurate.
Understanding the boss vs. leader dynamic is an important part of personal and professional growth. The words mean almost the same but in reality, they are different. Here is an Oxford dictionary meaning of the two words;
Boss: a person who is in charge of a worker, group, or organization.
Leader: the person who leads or commands a group, organization, or country.
Photos used for Illustration purposes only
In the real world, being a leader instead of a boss could be the difference between your company thriving and failing. This is because a boss manages their employees, while a leader inspires them to innovate, think creatively, and strive for perfection. Every team has a boss, but what people need is a leader who will help them achieve greatness, a fact which many in management positions do not want to hear.
The truth is, some bosses have attained a position in the management section of the corporate pyramid. They have a nice office, make decisions that affect the direction of the company and often control how money is spent. However, those characteristics alone don’t make them leaders. It’s like owning a beautiful and expensive car without the knowledge of how to drive.
Leaders will take time to motivate their employees, which then inspires them to follow their leader’s example whereas bosses tend to push employees instead of directing them.
Another leadership facet is they frequently present ideas and work alongside their employees. They clearly communicate objectives to the team and their actions are aimed at achieving goals together.
A boss’s motivation mainly comes from reaching numbers and maintaining the standards set by the organization at the expense of their workers’ well-being. While that can be good, it causes team members to ask questions about what a person’s purpose and motivation are, thus resulting in less buy-in and eventually they will leave the company. This is a crucial characteristic that is unique to a “boss” short-sighted and looking for quick fixes that save money.
Photos used for Illustration purposes only
Learning and embracing new ways of working is part of this digital world we live in, however, bosses seem to align themselves with outdated ways of management. For instance, if an employee is out of sight and unable to be monitored, they assume that the employee must be slacking off and therefore less productive. But is it always the case?
One of key areas where a leader differs from a boss is their ability to come up with ways to foster a positive culture within their workplace, encouraging innovation and rewarding hard work. Leaders are experts at managing and understanding people as well as their subject material. This way, they can adjust their management styles to the individual, making employees feel recognized, comfortable and helping them work to their strengths.
Have you ever noticed that a boss and a leader has a different approach in terms of where they place their focus. For bosses, focus comes down to the here and now. They need results right away no matter what it takes. A boss tends to focus on outcomes and profit, which is often at the expense of the people they manage.
Many are times, you will realize a boss think they know it all already and have no need to learn something new especially from people under their management. They consider themselves the experts with all the answers. If challenged, they will usually point to their authority as the reason they’re right.
As a parting shot, if you are in management position or aspiring to be one, here is something that can aid as a driving force so that you will be a leader not a boss. Take the time to listen to your employees. Get to know them. Cheer them on when they do good, and show them right when they do wrong. Don’t lead with fear, and never feel you are above them. Lead by example and by the way, it’s difficult for employees to tell you, “You are a boss and demotivating us.”
Comments
adamgordon
It’s a great pleasure reading your post!
cmsmasters
Happy to be of service.
annabrown
Thanks for sharing this information is useful for us.
cmsmasters
Always happy to be of service.
miaqueen
This is awesome!!!
cmsmasters
Thanks.