At a glance, being a boss and being a leader seems like the same job position. But the qualities that make you a boss don’t necessarily make you a leader. Even though both individuals are trusted to lead a group and the terms boss and leader are often interchanged, they carry different meanings. This difference becomes more evident when both are in practice.
A boss is a strong personality whose key focus is on business outcomes rather than building relationships. In contrast, A leader takes measures and makes positive changes in the team’s relationships, business practices, and communications.
What makes someone a boss?
A boss is a person who is in charge of the organization. He is someone who takes control of the employees. He orders and assigns tasks and duties to them.
What makes someone a leader?
A leader is someone who can influence and gracefully lead others by example. He is the person who holds a dominant position fueled with a clear vision and stays committed to his goal while motivating the group too. Some key characteristics of a leader are foresightedness, efficient communication skills, the art of influencing and motivating others, stimulating work.
Five key differences between a boss and a leader
A boss hears, but a leader transforms
Leaders are individuals who can disrupt patterns in others to shift focus, challenge limiting beliefs, and inspire changes from within. They accomplish this through active listening skills. They strive to understand the team members’ concerns instead of just listening to them.
Leaders strive for change. They are resourceful and provide their team with the tools they require to succeed.
A boss speaks, but a leader connects
Leaders are individuals who understand that effective communication is key for a thriving business. To accomplish this, they establish rapport and connect in deeper and more meaningful ways. This connection positively affects the team members and drives lasting change that comes from within.
Leaders also understand the power of language. They use language as a tool to turn someone’s negative, self-defeating speak into positive, empowering language.
A boss dictates, but a leader inspires
The typical bosses are micromanagers: they talk more than they listen, dictate tasks, give orders, and dish out criticism. Their authority comes from their position.
On the other hand, a leader’s authority is based on encouragement. They believe in the values and vision of the company. They thrive to live them out personally and professionally, inspiring others to do the same. They focus on building trust, in turn encouraging innovation and creativity. Leaders are dependable and hold themselves accountable.
A boss dominates, but a leader collaborates
Typical bosses are resistant to change. They are closed to new ideas and new ways of doing tasks. They follow an inflexible approach, leaving very little room for experimentation.
Leaders, on the contrary, understand that to succeed for the greater goal, businesses must invite change and innovation. They encourage teamwork and focus on creating strong teams. Leaders are not only open to new ideas, they actively seek them.
A boss focuses on profit, but a leader focuses on the greater goal
Bosses are individuals who put profits over people. They focus more on processes and proving themselves. This leads to diminishing success. Bosses are continuously focusing on the outcome and not the journey, which results in them skipping essential learnings.
On the flip side, leaders are driven by a powerful vision. They want to change the world, innovate and make a difference in the bigger picture. They are interested in the journey as well as in the destination. They actively put people first and create a positive and motivating environment where profits come naturally.
