A look at the fine-line between two very different management styles. Original article found at https://www.inc.com/lolly-daskal/the-choice-is-yours-boss-or-leader-pick-one.html

1. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
10 TRAITS THAT SET THEM APART
BOSSES
& LEADERS

2. A BOSS A LEADER
A person who gives orders
to employees and behaves
in an authoritative way,
seeks control and tells his
men what to do.
A person who influences,
inspires, supports and
encourages a group of
individuals, and works
continuously on the
achievement of goals.
MEANING

3. A BOSS'S
Focus Is ON STRUCTURE
A LEADER'S
FOCUS IS ON VISION
FOCUS
While structure is important, having all the
processes ticked and obsessing over the
small details are no good if the final
goal/vision is lost.
A boss works with the present short-term
goal, while the leader always has the
future, long-term goal in sight.

4. A BOSS
DRIVES EMPLOYEES
A LEADER
COACHES EMPLOYEES
MANAGEMENT
Bosses spoon-feed and micromanage.
Bosses don't trust their subordinates abilities and the
subs feel it and play into it.
Like the coach of a sports team, leaders prep the
team and teach them how to handle situations in
the best possible way.
They then stand back and let them play the
game.
A boss has employees.
A leader has followers.

5. A BOSS GAINS RESPECT
THROUGH SENIORITY AND TITLE
A LEADER GAINS RESPECT
DUE TO THE ABILITY AND QUALITY OF HIS
CHARACTER
Bosses rely on the fact that they have the title to get them respect and results. Bitchiness and tactlessness
are not a privilege of having a title (they merely show you shouldn't have one).
True leadership is about the respect gained through who you are rather than only what you do and
what your status is.
Earned and continuous results will create credibility and trust.
Leaders have both trust and respect.
A leader depends, along with the entire team, on mutual accountability and trust.
RESPECT

6. A BOSS
INSPIRES FEAR
A LEADER
GENERATES ENTHUSIASM
A boss uses their title and position as
leverage to create fear and thinks this fear will
get results.
And it may, but it will also mean people will not
want to work for you for too long.
A leader is enthusiastic about the
company, the position and their
subordinates. Their enthusiasm generates
an atmosphere of pride, gratitude and
confidence.
WHAT THEYDO
Hint: If someone is too scared to tell you when they have
a problem, you are doing it wrong)

7. SAYS
“I”
SAYS “WE”
SUCCESS
A boss sees all success as a direct
result of their own actions.
A leader knows that it takes a team.
To note:
Leaders don't show favouritism.
They measure their own success on
all subordinates reaching their full
potential equally.

8. A BOSS
PLACES BLAME FOR BREAKDOWN
A LEADER
FIXES THE BREAKDOWN
A boss places blame and shows who is wrong.
It is often made sure that the blame isn't anywhere near themselves.
Another way bosses deal with mistakes is by brushing it under the carpet with no
clear communication occurring afterwards.
This lack of communication is often the reason for the breakdown to begin with.
A leader fixes the mistake and shows WHAT is wrong. They work to help to
repair the damage and understand what happened so it won't occur again.
MISTAKES

9. A BOSS SEEKS TO
CONTROL & USE PEOPLE
A LEADER SEEKS
COMMITMENT & TO DEVELOP PEOPLE
To a boss a subordinate is merely a cog in the
big wheel of profit, and feel that keeping
employees small makes them easier to
handle.
A leader knows that value, and growth of
individuals will benefit the company
through commitment, loyalty and
engagement.
SEEKS
CFO asks CEO, “What happens if we invest in developing our
people and then they leave us?”
CEO: “What happens if we don’t, and they stay?”
~Peter Baeklund

10. A BOSS
TAKES CREDIT
A LEADER
GIVES CREDIT
Appreciated and valued subordinates will
show more loyalty and will work harder.
It is the law of the universe. Just do it.
Trust is broken every time a boss takes credit
that was meant to be due-fully shared.
SHARED!
CREDIT

11. A BOSS
SAYS “ GO”
A LEADER
SAYS “ LET'S GO”
LEADERSHIPSTYLE
A boss stays on the sideline and lets others do the hard work.
A true leader has the ability to know where to be in order to be most effective.
Mostly it will be at the front of the pack leading by example, but sometimes a leader will need to
be in the middle of the pack grinding alongside and sometimes they need to be behind the pack
to help the pack move forward.
Be consistant and fair with credit and punishment.
A leader doesn't bend the rules to suit themselves.
LEAD BY EXAMPLE.
The difference is also shown in how you handle commands.
Tone is important, you are dealing with human-adults! Remember this!

12. A BOSS KNOWS HOW A LEADER SHOWS HOW
Holding back your own knowledge to keep from helping others shine only proves yours isn't that bright.
Shine and help others do so. You will shine more brightly, Promise!
Trusting the opinions and abilities of your subordinates creates assertive workers
and builds more leaders.
Only true leaders aren't scared to show what their weaknesses are and recognise the strength in someone else.
WORK

13. WHEN YOU MAKE THE CHOICE TO BE A LEADER, THERE ARE SOME
THINGS YOU HAVE TO GIVE UP: EGO, FOR ONE. DOING IT YOUR WAY.
ALWAYS KNOWING YOU'RE RIGHT. NEVER HAVING YOUR WORLD VIEW
CHALLENGED.
IN EXCHANGE, THOUGH, YOU'LL GAIN A FEW THINGS:
AN ATMOSPHERE OF COLLEGIALITY AND COLLABORATION.
A WORKPLACE THAT PEOPLE WILL LINE UP TO WORK AT. AN AUTHENTIC
AUTHORITY THAT COMES FROM WHO YOU ARE, NOT WHAT YOU SAY OR
DO. THE CHANCE TO CHANGE LIVES — INCLUDING YOUR OWN.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO LOOK VERY HARD TO SEE THAT WE ALREADY HAVE
PLENTY OF BOSSES IN THE WORLD.
WHAT WE'RE LACKING IS GREAT LEADERS.
WHERE DO YOU FALL?