What Is the Difference Between a Boss and a Leader?
The words “boss” and “leader” are often used synonymously with one another, but they are far from the same. While anyone in a position of power can be deemed a boss, not every boss knows how to be a leader.
A boss is a specific title – these positions give an individual power to give orders to others and authority to make decisions. Think of a sales manager or creative director. A boss takes control over employees, assigns tasks, expects to see results, and focuses on business outcomes rather than relationships. A leader on the other hand, develops their skill set to inspire other employees who willingly commit to their mission. They motivate their teams to perform their best but are an active member of the team themselves. A leader focuses on the process by which each employee reaches their goals, and develops long-term solutions that add value to a company and contributes toward organizational success. Truly, the difference between a boss and a leader has nothing to do with title or position. Many managers are not leaders, and many leaders do so without a title of authority. Leadership is a practice, and anyone who has the skills to lead can make positive change and influence on those around them even if they aren’t “the boss.” Inspiring individuals to take on a leader role vs a boss role is important because a company can’t truly be impactful without leaders at every level. A person with leadership skills drives success, encourages career advancement, and multiplies leaders across the organization. These types of people are the ones who create a chain reaction of positive outcomes that inspire employees to accomplish more and help businesses skyrocket to company-wide success.
While the responsibilities of a boss versus a leader seem pretty similar at first, once you compare them side-by-side it’s easy to see how very different they are. Understand the discrepancy between the two to align your behavior with that of a true leader.
A boss commands. A leader listens.
A boss and a leader do the same things but in different ways with a vastly different skill set. A good leader recognizes that their success depends on whether the team succeeds. While a boss delegates crucial responsibility and remains hands-off, a leader works closely with others and involves their team members in the decision-making process. They listen to the opinions of their colleagues and inspire them to work for the company’s betterment. When they hear a complaint, they do something about it. Through active listening, they use their resources to get their team the tools they need and sense out any discouragement or stress that their employees may feel toward a certain project. Good leaders help employees shift focus, remove limiting beliefs, and inspire internalized changes by transforming doubts with their own positivity and passion.
A boss counts value. A leader creates it.
While being driven by numbers can be a good thing, it can be detrimental when it’s a leader’s sole motivating factor. Bosses put profits over people and usually concentrate their efforts on metrics and maintaining the processes set by the organization. In comparison, a good leader doesn’t just focus on the bottom line – they focus on how they got there and where they can go from there. They are just as interested in the journey as they are in the destination for their employees. By choosing what’s best for the individual, rather than the company, good leaders create an environment where employees feel encouraged to reach high standards.
Bosses stay the same. Leaders seek self-improvement.
Another strong discrepancy between a boss and a leader is their desire and willingness to learn. Instead of pointing to their authority if challenged, a good leader is ready to hear new ideas no matter where they come from and seek out increased development every day. A boss may want others to improve but has no desire to be involved in the improvement process, simply expecting others to do it on their own. A good leader adopts a growth mindset and will work with others to make sure they reach a higher level of performance.
