Understanding The Difference Between Being A Leader And Being A Boss

In the workplace there bosses and there are leaders, though the two are very distinct, there is only a fine line between the two. Here are a few differences between a boss and a leader: Leaders Lead Leaders tend to motivate employees, working beside them on projects, giving them inspiration and ideas. Employees will thus follow the example set by their leader, helping them to become leaders on future projects. However, bosses push employees to finish assignments before deadlines, don’t give much advice, and leave their workforce without strong guidance. This lack of involvement creates dissatisfaction and a loss of respect among the employees for their boss. Leaders Listen Leaders are more likely to listen to and value what employees have to say before speaking up themselves. Leaders value equality in their assignments and have a deeper respect for their employees than the average boss. Bosses are more likely to be dominant when having conversations with their employees, expecting their staff to carry out commands without question. This leads to employees feeling undervalued, as they are not truly being heard. Leaders Work Leaders are most likely giving suggestions, working alongside employees, and motivating the team when working on a large project. This hands-on approach shows employees their leader values his time the same as he values theirs. Bosses tend to stand aside and supervise when a project is started, only interacting to give commands or criticism. This hands-off approach restricts the creativity of employees, ultimately making them less motivated. Leaders Are Respected, Not Feared Leaders rarely have to force employees to complete tasks, as they are beside their team for every step of a project. Therefore, their team is more likely to already understand what is expected of them, so there is no reason for them to fear their leader. Bosses, however, tend to give more orders and less guidance, leaving employees in a state of intimidation by their boss as they do not know what is expected of them.