The tiny indicator that shows if you are a Boss or a Leader. Which are you?

First, it's important to know what a boss is and what a leader is.

A boss is someone that manages people. They know what needs to be done, how it should be done, who should be doing it and by what deadline. They are subject matter experts. A boss needs their employees to perform at capacity every single day. A boss will hold you accountable and they will measure successes by titles and hierarchy. A boss will leverage their authority and their position. Overall, a boss is someone who is an expert in telling people what to do.

A leader is someone who inspires employees, helps them think creatively with innovation and then instills a desire to work hard. Leaders teach employees why and how to do something, an employee failure is their failure. They are experts at people and their emotions. While they want you to perform every day, they want you to feel successful. They do this by building your confidence every opportunity they can. While accountability is important for any company, they do not want to personally hold you accountable, a leader will help you grow self-accountability. They focus on what is morally right, what will leave a legacy and what drives passion. Overall, a leader will gain joy from your successes and have a desire for you to surpass them.

In all of us we are both a leader and a boss. It is essential to have characteristics of both.

However, that is not the small indicator that can tell you how a person in authority instinctively thinks of themselves as either a boss or a leader.

Answer this next question before reading on:

[ At a local networking event, you are chatting with another CEO. The CEO notices an individual across the room and asks this question: "Do you know that girl/guy over there?"]

How did you just answer that question in your mind?

A boss will say: "Oh yes I do, he/she works for me."

A leader will say: "Oh yes I do, he/she works with me."

A boss is someone who sees themselves above their employees. They do not work with them, but rather they work for them.

A leader is someone who realizes that everyone in a company has a crucial role to play. An employee does not work for them, but rather with them.

So which are you? Which do you strive to be?

-Natalie Dobkins