Are You Just the Boss?
“The difference between a boss and a leader is…
A Boss says “Go!”. A Leader says “Let’s go!” ~E.M. Kelly
As most of you know, I’m not a fan of the word “boss”. According to the Oxford Dictionary, the word is informally defined as “to give someone orders in a domineering manner”. A boss, through his position of power, tells their subordinates what to do and expects the subordinates to act accordingly. As such the word “boss” tends to evoke negative responses.
Leader, on the other hand, is a word that evokes positive responses and is often used when referring to people we revere or look up to. The verb ‘to lead’ is defined as an act to “show someone the way to a destination by going in front of or beside them”.
Unlike a boss, a leader is thought to be someone who advices the subordinates and who doesn’t just bark orders, but actually does the acts he or she is asking others to do.
To be the leader your people deserve, here are 10 Leadership Tidbits that have stood the test of time.
Be the “communicator” that your people expect you to be.
Share what you know and what you think.
Communicate honestly, transparently, and consistently.
Be the “collaborator” that they want you to be.
Find bright, experienced people and develop a group you can turn to when you need help.
Be the “head-cheerleader” that never quits.
Share the praise for a job well done and foster a spirit of “together we can achieve awesome results”.
Take more than your share of the blame when things don’t turn out exactly as planned.
Be the “do-gooder” they deserve by doing the right thing even when it hurts.
Lead by example and always give more than you get.
As I read through the Leadership tidbits above, I couldn’t help but wonder what the people I worked with over the years thought about me. Did I come across as a “boss” or did I help them grow by being the “leader” they deserved?
While leaders share many other qualities, it’s important to remember that leadership is a privilege and with that privilege comes responsibility to be the best they can be.
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