- There are many differences between bosses and leaders. Supervisors and managers should consistently analyze their leadership styles to ensure they are successfully leading their teams.
- According to a recent study by Robert Half, 49% of professionals surveyed have quit a job due to a bad boss.
- To become a good leader, you should influence, inspire and mentor your team members.
- There are a few key strategies that every great leader incorporates into their behavior: delegating authority, being thoughtful to team members, facilitating open communication and setting clear employee expectations.
Being promoted to a management role may seem like a great accomplishment, but many professionals find the responsibility to be more challenging than they imagined. Merely being someone's boss doesn't mean you are a good leader.
Effective leadership is increasingly important in the workplace, as more and more employees are leaving great companies over one resolvable element – bad bosses. According to a recent study by staffing agency Robert Half, nearly half of all professionals surveyed (49%) have quit a job because of a bad boss.
There are many key differences between a boss and a leader, and it is important that you analyze your leadership style to ensure that you are effectively steering your team in the right direction. Keep in mind, though, that even those who start out with less effective management skills can modify their behavior to become good leaders.
What are the differences between a boss and a leader?
Many professionals step into management or supervisory roles and find themselves wondering, "What are the qualities of a boss vs. a leader?" We spoke with leadership experts to discover the five key differences between the two.
As you read the following comparisons, reflect on your own actions to determine which one you are.
1. Bosses command; leaders influence.
According to Sue Andrews, business and HR consultant at KIS Finance, a key difference is that a boss's authority comes from their position, whereas a leader's authority comes from their ability to influence others.
"A boss is there to ensure that employees follow the rules of an organization, but a leader will encourage others to think for themselves to achieve the desired ends," Andrews told Business News Daily. "A boss will need to give orders to instruct others what to do, but a leader can inspire others to find the best way forward, whilst motivating them to maximize their potential."
Although subordinates only follow bosses because they have to, bosses can grow their influence through encouraging behavior, added Ken Gosnell, CEO of CEO Experience (CXP).
"You can grow your influences by caring for your team, listening to their thoughts and ideas, and sharing the 'why' behind the decisions and actions that you take," said Gosnell. "This is a second step in leadership, but it makes all the difference, and people will follow you because they want to, and not just because they have to."
2. Bosses explain; leaders inspire.
You shouldn't just explain a task and leave it in your employee's hands. According to Christine Macdonald, director of The Hub Events, a boss ensures you understand your work, while a leader supports and guides you through it.
"The biggest difference between a leader and a boss is that a good leader inspires people and makes them excited about their work," she said.
Success takes passion; without the desire to complete tasks, workers won't be as driven to give their best performances. As their leader, you should motivate them by letting them know the importance of their work.
3. Bosses discipline; leaders mentor.
Employees are human, and mistakes are to be expected. Who you are as a boss is evident in how you deal with mishaps. While bosses are more likely to use a reward/punishment system to discourage poor behavior, great leaders understand that employees benefit from encouragement and mentorship. If an employee performs well in a specific line of work, that strength should be recognized and mastered.
"One key element of leadership is the ability to harness the talents of others to achieve a common goal," said Macdonald.
It's important to note the strengths and weaknesses of each employee and mentor them independently. Rather than attacking skill gaps, work to patch them by guiding employees through their shortcomings and building their confidence in new areas.
4. Bosses delegate tasks; leaders delegate authority.
A boss focuses on the objectives of their department and is stringent in following protocol to achieve those goals. They think for the short term, delegate tasks to their subordinates and tend to micromanage.
Christina J. Eisinger, executive coach and consultant at CJE Consulting, said that a boss has key objectives to meet, whereas a leader will set the long-term vision for the team and use it as "a key motivator."
"A boss gets results by telling people what to do and is concerned with doing it right," she said. "A leader is skilled at results by enabling their team to figure out what to do, is concerned with doing what is right."
Andrews added that leaders seek to drive commitment by setting an example for others to follow and inspire others by encouraging development. "They are comfortable delegating authority and avoid micromanaging, preferring to see others develop. Utilizing their excellent communication and negotiation skills, they will influence others for the overall benefit of the organization."
5. Bosses are above the team; leaders are part of the team.
A boss doesn't take the time to get to know their employees like a leader does. Eisinger said that bosses view their team members as subordinates, whereas leaders let go of this hierarchical distinction and view their team members as equal contributors.
To be a leader, it's important that you facilitate positive relationships with your employees. Work with their needs and create a culture that encourages open communication.
"By getting to know your team better, you'll be able to understand how to explain your vision in a way that will really connect with each person," said Macdonald. "This means you can personalize the way you motivate people."
She added that good leaders are genuine and loyal. You set an example for your company. If you lack passion or motivation, odds are your team will too. Don't be afraid to be human – be real and express your emotions to connect with your workers.
How do you go from boss to leader?
To be a good boss or leader, you can incorporate a few key strategies into your behavior. Experts listed three of these strategies as thoughtfulness, communication and clear expectations for your employees.
Gosnell recommends treating your employees with thoughtfulness. A good leader conducts their decision-making process based on the best interests of the team as well as the company.
"Leaders who lead for impact think first of their followers," said Gosnell. "They know that if they are doing what is in the best interest of their followers, it will bring great results for the followers and the organization."
Leaders should also incorporate good communication by listening to their teams. Gosnell said a listening leader will hear how to make an organization better through the words of their team.
"Listening leaders grow in influence and impact, while those who neglect to listen to their team will struggle with disengaged employees who won't listen," he added. "A leader who wants to be listened to should practicing listening to their people."
Whether you see yourself as a boss or a leader, Andrews said, the key to your success is your staff seeing you as fair in your approach toward them. Set fair, clear employee expectations and be consistent in your manners so your staff knows what they can expect from you.
"This is essential in the workplace, as one of the greatest causes of employee stress is not knowing what to expect from their manager," said Andrews. "Frequent changes in focus and conflicting priorities will leave staff feeling anxious. However, effective communication and a clear goal will ensure that teams all pull in the same direction."
What are a team leader's responsibilities?
Team leaders are responsible for more than just delegating tasks and monitoring employees. They are responsible for the success of the whole team as well as the success of each individual team member. An effective team leader should understand each member's strengths, weaknesses, and goals and utilize their talents accordingly.
Eisinger created a brief checklist for leaders to refer to when determining their primary responsibilities:
- Ensure the team has what they need to get the job done.
- Provide challenging, meaningful work.
- Be accessible and approachable.
- Hold regular one-on-one meetings with each direct report that focus on career development.
- Measure performance.
- Provide regular, ongoing feedback (both positive feedback and constructive criticism).
If you do not currently implement all of these responsibilities into your work duties, don't worry. Just focus on improving, and seek feedback from your team about what you can do better. According to Eisinger, most good leaders start out as bosses.
"In the work I do, it seems to be an inevitable transition point for people as they first step into a supervisory role and develop their leadership capabilities," she said. "It's normal to exhibit some of these 'boss' characteristics. However, it is critical to recognize one's unique challenges and work to overcome them so they can become leaders."
What do you think the difference is between a boss and a true leader? Share your thoughts on this topic with the business.com community.
Additional reporting by Sammi Caramela. Some source interviews were conducted for a previous version of this article.