Do you consider yourself a boss or a leader?
This question doesn’t just apply to the workplace, it can also refer to your home and personal relationships.
Do you lead people or just tell them what you want to be done without any consideration or explanation? Do you encourage and develop your team? Or do you use criticism and protect your own interests?
The world is full of bosses. There are far too few leaders.
Since leaders are rather scarce, you will stand out by becoming a good leader. You’ll likely experience more career opportunities and have far fewer challenges with your employees and contract workers.
Being a leader is invaluable at home, too. Your children and spouse will appreciate that they are living with a leader, not a boss.
Here are some attributes of effective leaders:
1. Leaders model. A boss likes to sit on the sidelines and allow others to do the hard work. A leader is out in front showing the way. A leader is involved. A boss just makes a request and walks away.
2. Leaders are mission-focused. There is an overall goal or mission. The people following the leader must be inspired and empowered. The people must understand the mission. This is very different than providing a to-do list without any context.
3. Leaders delegate. Bosses micromanage. A leader trusts his people. But a boss struggles to relinquish any control. A leader has surrounded himself with people that complement his weaknesses. A boss hires people that don’t make him feel threatened.
4. Leaders empower. Bosses always have a weaker team because a boss doesn’t want strong employees that might outshine him. Leaders are always looking for ways to encourage and empower their people with emotional support, life skills and professional development. Leaders want the best for their team members.
5. Leaders earn respect. A boss wants to be feared. On the surface, they might appear to be similar, but the differences are striking. A boss uses fear and threats to gain compliance. A leader is willing to use his enthusiasm, skill, and expertise to encourage others to respect and follow him.
6. Leaders develop new leaders. A true leader is constantly creating employees with the knowledge and experience to take his place. A boss is afraid of the competition. A boss is afraid he’ll be replaced and is too self-centered to be concerned about the career aspirations of his employees.
7. Leaders know how to motivate. They recognize that no two employees are the same. They know their employees well enough to know how to inspire them. A boss simply says, “It is what it is. This is what needs to be done. You can always look for another job if you don’t like it.”
8. Leaders accept responsibility. When the team fails, the leader is still out in front taking the brunt of the criticism. A boss is trying to absolve himself of as much responsibility as possible. A boss is quick to blame his employees. A leader is quick to blame himself.
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Think about your work history. You probably have had both bosses and leaders. It’s not very pleasant to work for someone that’s in the boss category. It’s much better to work for a leader. So . . .
Develop your leadership skills. You’ll be helping yourself, your employees, and your family.
Source
Hammer Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
Businesswoman Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay