Leader & Boss: Tensions of Leadership
Welcome to installment two of the tensions of leadership! Our heart for this collection of blogs is to increase your longevity and effectiveness as a leader.
Let’s dive into another tension we can experience in leadership!
“Then the LORD answered me and said: “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it.” - Habakkuk 2:2
“Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, And attend to your herds;” - Proverbs 27:23
“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan.” - Proverbs 29:12
“A man’s pride will bring him low, But the humble in spirit will retain honor.” - Proverbs 29:23
The view of leadership has many common misconceptions. The way media and upbringing shapes us has a real impact on our view of what a leader looks like. We view the multi-million dollar CEO as a focal point of leadership. One that barks orders and sits behind his desk or at the head of the conference room table.
I’ve found over my years of leadership, I’ve found that leaders can be broken down in the tension of being two things a leader or being a boss and there is a BIG difference. Who you are as a leader will dictate your longevity and health and the health and growth of your team. Your leadership has the ability to impact to positively or negatively shape your organization and the people in it. There is a big difference in being a boss and a leader, and the heart of what makes you one or the other is the motive of why you become and are a leader today.
Here are the main distinctions between a leader and a boss:
LEADER BOSS
Influence Authority/Title
Trust Control/Fear
Development/Empowerment Execution
Vision/Motivation/Meaning Tasks
We Me
Coaches Drives
Asks Demands/Commands
Gives Credit Takes Credit
Takes Blame Shifts Blame
There are many ways to manage this tension of being a leader and a boss. You may find yourself being a little bit of both as well. As you grow, developing into a leader instead of a boss will bring health and longevity into you, your team and what you’re leading. Read through these quotes as they paint the picture of the difference in boss and leader.
“Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.” - Peter Drucker
“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” - John Quincy Adams
“A good leader takes a little more than his share of the blame, a little less than his share of the credit.” - Arnold H. Glasow
“Outstanding leaders go out of their way to boost the self-esteem of their personnel. If people believe in themselves, it’s amazing what they can accomplish.” - Sam Walton
“to handle yourself, use your head; to handle others, use your heart.” - Eleanor Roosevelt
Here are some simple starting points to make the shift from boss to leader and why it’s important:
1) Don’t Solely Hire Talent, Develop It.
Bosses hire based on talent or competency. Get the best ability, place them in the job and leave them alone. It’s always the next task up and development is a waste of precious time and money, and most of all pride. Bosses don’t want employees to become greater than them. Avoiding development can be all under the insecurity of a boss. Bosses push tasks, efficiency, and execution above all else.
Leaders hire based on ability, character, how they fit in the culture and are willing to take time to develop ability to make sure they can get the job done. Development comes from a secure leader. They can cheer on their team and encourage them to fly, even if it surpasses the leaders ability. That can mean employees can move on from the organization and the leader is still concerned about the success of the person because it’s bigger than what they did for you, your concern was their success. Leaders pull, jumping into the team, vision and culture, motivating through success, encouragement, development and building trust.
TEST FOR YOURSELF: How good am I at cheering on the growth and success of others that I lead?
For the people I’ve hired, can they complete the job and PERFORM, just as much as I TRUST them around family and possessions, work culture, to help others and carry the vision? If you have trust and performance, those are KEY players!
2) Build a Diverse Team
Bosses can hire or surround themselves with mini-versions of themselves. They are afraid of opposing viewpoints, and want people that follow them blindly. It is agree with me or else. Bosses light fires under their employees to get the job done. Bosses work tirelessly on their weaknesses. No one can be better than them.
Leaders know there is value in diversity. Different viewpoints and backgrounds all under the same vision and culture can lead to a very strong team. Leaders light fires in their employees to understand why the job or task matters. Leaders know that they have weaknesses. They choose to focus on their strengths and surround themselves with people that are strong in their weaknesses.
TEST: Look around you. Who are you surrounded with? People just like you that follow you blindly, or a diverse team of backgrounds and viewpoints? Does your team complement your weaknesses?
3) Take the Blame, Give the Praise
Bosses easily take credit for all work done, even by other employees they’re leading. It was because of them that the work was done as good as it was.
Leaders have no issue giving credit where it is due. They promote people that exude the positive culture in place. They publicly praise a job well done and privately convey negative realities.
TEST: Is it easy for you to give the credit to others? How do you convey a job well done or a negative reality?
4) Be Invested and For Your Team
Bosses brag about success, money and growth. They are only concerned with numbers and opportunities. Bosses don’t care about what you have going on. They just want consistent results. Bosses love the separation of work and home. Once you show up for work, it’s game on.
Leaders brag about what their teams and people are doing. They are concerned with mission, health, culture and the success of the team. Leaders recognize when someone they’re leading is hurting. They adapt and take care of that person with care, time off, altering their schedule/workload or any number of things. Leaders know that work and home mesh. If home is unhealthy, that can seep into your work culture. Make sure you’re taking time to know and understand where people are coming from and that there are humans working for you that are dealing with real things.
TEST: When asked about your job or leadership, what comes to mind? Is it about you or the team?
5) Keep Your Motive Pure
Bosses seek power through title and authority because they “earned it”. Bosses climb the ladder, no matter the cost or who they have to put down to get there. Bosses are inconsistent, swayed by the success or failure of their organization and how it makes them look. They often are reactive to the circumstances they are placed in. Bosses cast the blame when something is wrong, even if it was their fault.
Leaders are concerned with making a difference. Climbing the ladder doesn’t motivate leaders, they are concerned with lifting others up. Great leaders are people who model and go first in every aspect of the culture. Self-awareness is key. They are joyful, culture carriers and consistent in their pursuit of building the team and organization. Leaders take the blame when something is wrong, even if it wasn’t their fault.
TEST: Why are you a leader? How do you handle failure and where do you cast the blame? Is it a moment to learn and grow or is your only concern your success and appearance?
SIMPLE TAKEAWAY Leaders pull, bosses push