What Separates a Leader from a Boss?
Imagine having a job you love, problems you enjoy solving, social opportunities, things you learn there, even the paycheck you bring home. Looks like an ideal situation? Now add a mean and bad boss to the scene. A boss who is dominating and manipulative. Will this ideal job remain ideal if your boss is ready to abuse employees to meet the quarter’s deadlines? No, it won’t.
It is rightly said that people leave managers, not jobs. Many employees opt out only because of their boss’ tantrums, micromanagement or self-centered attitude. A heartless boss may spoil even personal aspects of your life including health.
“Having a bad boss can increase a worker’s chances of having a heart attack”- a study says. Toxic leadership can suck employees dry of all their motivation. The work demands from such bosses are always irrational. Such leaders end up converting the members in their team into yes ministers.
There are two measures of leadership- first is how one maneuvers through rough times and failures. Second is how he handles success. A person failing to meet either of these standards is a bad leader. He is a pain to the organization and causes damage to the culture and growth of the organization. The people working under him also suffer.
“The boss drives people; The leader coaches them” -Harry Gordon Selfridge
Now imagine a job where the leadership is great. Your boss has got your back in all possible situations. You are being motivated, acknowledged and appreciated, and the learning curve is going only upwards. Isn’t it a good situation to be in? Even if the paycheck is a tad lower everything else will be worth your time and efforts.
The same study says that employees working under a good leader are 40 percent less likely to suffer any heart issues. Also, employees with the feeling that their boss treats them fairly and with respect have a 30% lower risk of heart disease.
In these times of knowledge industry, bosses are not bosses. They are leaders. Now, what separates leaders from bosses is, leaders give everyone the needed space, support and resources to help each one climb the corporate ladder. They not only acknowledge the needs of the team or the company but also cater to each individual’s needs. They understand the unique potential of each individual and try to utilize it for the organization’s success. They want everyone’s participation and efforts in building a great organization.
Below are the five things that good leaders do-
- They bond and build trust with subordinates
- They appreciate their employees’ efforts
- They let employees to be creative with minimal constraint
- They allow employees to be their authentic selves
- They listen to the feedback and acknowledge it
If you are able to relate more with the first case, you should try moving on to a different job. If you realize that your job is not supporting your learning and growing, just switch. Being a professional, it is your responsibility to see where the leadership is taking you and what are the odds of your professional development.
For businesses, it is important they have good leaders in key managerial positions. Leaders who can ensure the growth of employees are valuable. The employees, after all, are the ultimate architects of an organization’s success. With fast changing organizational matrices, the business world is realizing that they need more of leaders and less of bosses.
About the Author
Anand (@ananddamanica) is a Serial Entrepreneur and Startup Advisor with over 20 years of experience in the Manufacturing Sector, International Trade, Custom software, Web & Mobile App. Development. He has provided IT integration guidance to over 200 SME & Startup Clients across the globe. A Chartered Accountant by education and an Entrepreneur at heart, Anand has a knack for simplifying ‘complex’ problems. He shares his expertise in business and management, and also writes about his passion– Yoga, in his blog.
He believes Yoga is not just exercise for mind & body but a Philosophy, that should be applied in life as well. You can reach him at: anand@ananddamani.com.
