Are you a great leader or a crap boss?

Leadership is a topic which truly fascinates me, especially the actions that define a leader versus the actions that define a boss or manager.

It fascinates me primarily because, executive manager, managing director and chief executive officer roles are seen as leadership roles. However, I ask, do the people in these roles lead the business or are they the boss?

Just because you manage a business does not mean you are a good leader.    

Over the course of my 20 year-plus career and still today, I’m exposed to senior executives who manage their teams by inspiring fear; they demand authority over others, and they create a blame culture. Interestingly the commonality with these individuals are the same, they have little or no self-awareness.  

No doubt you’ve heard the phrase; people don’t leave businesses; they leave managers; managers they deem to be crap. Is poor leadership costing your business?  

I’ve also found that another common mistake about “leadership” is that people associate it with personality characteristics, if you’re charismatic, you’re a natural leader. Few people have great charisma, which can lead to the incorrect conclusion that few people can provide leadership.   

Leadership is about mentoring, engaging and bringing your team on a journey. I acknowledge the fact that I’m only as good as my team. The reverse applies too; my team are only as good as my leadership, and I truly believe the fish rots from the head down.

 The key elements of being a leader include:  

Vision. Know where you are and where you want to go and get buy-in from your team in relation to the future direction.  

Inspiration. Inspire your team, ensure they know how important their role is in the bigger picture and their contribution towards achieving your goals.  

Authenticity. Building trust and an authentic relationship with people results in mutual respect which is integral to leadership. Be honest and open with your team. This is one of my key strengths in leadership. People always know where they stand with me. What I’ve identified is that “above the line” thinkers appreciate the honesty, “below the line” thinkers not so much. I know which of those I want on my team.    

Coaching is an essential leadership skill. Personally, I apply the 80/20 rule to leadership; I spend a large percentage of my day coaching and working with my team. I believe leaders have a responsibility to set people up for success.  

Lead by example. Take responsibility, I believed that the buck stops with me. Blame costs you your credibility, if you have team members who are constantly on the defensive, it will sabotage growth, their growth and your business's growth.

Roll up your sleeves. Like any great battle, if you lead your team to victory, it inspires greatness in your business.   

Acknowledge failure. Not everything works, make it okay for your team to make mistakes, define failure as part of the journey in developing the extraordinary.  Challenge the status quo, do things differently and have the courage to think outside the box.

Be solution focused: I see problems as opportunities. Don’t focus on the problems, focus on changing the outcome through developing solutions.  

Self-awareness is the key to leadership, continually question, how you can improve to better serve your team. What do they need from you?  How are you motivating and inspiring your team? Why would your team follow you, and most importantly do they?

I believe everyone can always improve, and I continue to seek to learn. I have a learning mindset to continue to improve and be the best business leader I can be, and this is my focus.

Impressive leaders lead with integrity, authenticity, and have great communication skills; they are focused on building a great culture, a culture that delivers and celebrates success.

The differences between a "Boss" & "Leader". Which one are you?