While the principles of leadership have interested me since I was young, I’ve been thinking more about these principles in recent months.
That plus this picture I recently saw floating around on Facebook comparing the difference between a boss and a leader inspired me to write about this topic.
The content of the visual is more or less spot on, but it’s also quite ugly. So I thought I’d create my own visual for posterity:
For the less visually-inclined, the difference between a boss and a leader can be summarised as thus:
- A boss drives employees, whereas a leader coaches them.
- A boss depends on authority, whereas a leader utilises goodwill to get things done.
- A boss evokes fear, whereas a leader generates enthusiasm.
- A boss says “I”, whereas a leader says “We”.
- A boss merely places the blame on someone when there’s a breakdown; a leader fixes the breakdown to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
- A boss knows how it’s done but a leader shows how it’s done.
- A boss uses people but a leader develops people.
- A boss takes credit whereas a leader gives credit where it’s due.
- A boss commands; a leader asks (difference is in the tone of instruction).
- A boss says “Go” but a leader says “Let’s go”.
Is this true for you?
In any case, come back again tomorrow for part 2.