During one of our dinner conversations, I shared with my husband how different we are in raising our children. He said that his authoritative stance made him more of a leader than a boss and that I should strive to be the former.
It made me think about these two labels and how important it was to be aware of the subtle but significant differences. Your team may quickly realize that you are the “boss”, but how you position yourself as a leader they can trust will make a big difference in their response to you and how they work with you.
Leadership does not require you to wield authority
Gone are those days when employees would simply nod to the Big Boss, who barks orders and expects a complete report at the end of each day.
A positive, thriving company culture that fosters progress and success relies on people with unique talents and skills who are happy and satisfied with their work and the people around them. People will be frustrated and afraid if their boss is only interested in achieving goals and making a profit.
Authority alone won’t win trust and respect. You must be humble and not place yourself on a pedestal. Instead, you need to find a balance between listening to your team and leading them towards the ultimate goal.
It’s time for you to move from being a boss to becoming a leader
How can you transform from a domineering boss into a positive, innovative leader? Let’s look at the characteristics of an ideal leader, and how we can apply them to our own situations.
Leaders are people who have a positive influence.
Leaders are not expected to be in a position of authority in order for others to pay attention or respect them. They are a positive influence that others admire, and they are encouraged to emulate them.
Leaders act with everyone’s best interest in mind. They work with the team to find a solution that is both satisfactory for everyone and moves the project forward.
Get involved:
Ask everyone to share their ideas, suggestions, and feedback at your next meeting or brainstorming session. Then, work together to solve the current project problems.
Leaders are able to show empathy and kindness.
The leader is not like the boss who ignores personal setbacks to prioritize the task at hand. He or she understands that a company does not operate in a vacuum, and that life can throw curveballs when it’s least expected.
Leaders must understand that a team consists of people with different personalities and needs. They show empathy and consideration for their team members, and they help them in times of need. They are more likely to trust their leaders and show appreciation to their employees.
Get involved:
Ask your teammate how they are doing in the break room. You can also schedule monthly one-ons with your team and use these five questions as your guide.
Listen to your teammates when they ask for a day off. If necessary, you will grant their request.
Leaders look for solutions to improve things.
It’s easy to blame others and point fingers when things go wrong at work. Leaders are able to focus on the problem and do whatever it takes in order to fix it.
Leaders strive to find solutions that are more than the average in terms of progress. Leaders strive to improve the quality of life by asking the question: What else can we do?
Get involved:
Stop trying to pinpoint faults or blame others when you are trying to settle disputes or analyze project setbacks. Instead, ask your team members what can be done to fix the situation.
Leaders strive for transformation.
Leaders are not defined by how many milestones they can achieve or the short-term wins that they are able to achieve. They focus on the long-term.
