Does being a supervisor make you a leader?
Business ownership, or leading a team, is about inspiration. There is a huge difference between being a boss and a leader, and sometimes it comes down to the simplest of definitions.
The Definitions of Boss versus Leader
Technically, a “leader” is defined as someone that leads, guides, and directs.
A “boss,” on the other hand, is a person that employs or superintends workers, controls the party, and exercises authority.
Even by definition, these are fundamental differences.
4 Ways to Improve Leadership and Stop Bossing
1. Lead, Do Not Rule
A leader leads and directs; they do not employ.
Think of the biggest army battles in history. Those armies were fearless not because they were told to be, but because their leader was there fighting beside them, moving them forward, and guiding them to victory.
2. Be a Team, Not a Team of One
A leader is one that thinks of the group and addresses the company as a group. If “I” is in your sentences more frequently than “we,” you are acting like a boss.
Start directing your motivations toward the group, inspiring others to take on more tasks, delegating authority, and rewarding those who work as a team. Develop the people you work with, and never fear that their developments will make them better than you.
3. Be Interested in Their Goals, as well as the Company’s
A good leader understands his or her people. They have expectations, and they are realistic with those expectations. They also need to understand the personal goals of their employees. How can they help their team members reach individual, professional goals? A leader is only as good as the people they have helped to grow.
4. A Leader Reprimands, but Never Scolds
A good leader can still offer criticism; after all, you want your employees to learn from their mistakes. However, you do not berate employees for their mistakes. Errors should be opportunities for instruction and improvement.
