Being a boss has evolved over time. Gone are the days of being a \u201cdictator\u201d or micro manager, and having little understanding of how individuals feel, not leveraging individual and team strengths, and putting little if any time and resources into development planning.<\/p>\n
The best bosses aren\u2019t bosses \u2013 they are leaders.
\n\u2014Stephanie Sarkis, Ph.D.<\/p><\/blockquote>\nDifferentiators \u2013 Boss vs. Leader<\/h2>\n
Praveen Challa provided us with the following differentiators:<\/p>\n
A Boss… \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>A Leader…<\/strong>
\nDrives employees \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Coaches employees
\nDepends on authority \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Depends on goodwill
\nInspires fear \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Generates enthusiasm
\nSays \u201cI\u201d \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Says \u201cWe\u201d
\nPlaces blame for breakdowns \u00a0 \u00a0Fixes the breakdown
\nKnows how it\u2019s done \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Shows how it\u2019s done
\nUses people \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Develops people
\nTakes credit \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Gives credit
\nCommands \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Asks
\nSays \u201cgo\u201d \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Says \u201clet\u2019s go\u201d<\/p>\nIn our interactions with individuals and teams, we\u2019ve had the following thoughts shared about what a great leader is. Some include:<\/p>\n
\n
- Great leaders are great listeners. They listen closely and make others feel that they\u2019ve been heard.<\/li>\n
- Great leaders genuinely care about their staff\u2019s careers and not just about performing tasks. They conduct one-on-one sessions with their staff and provide mentoring and coaching, and review each individual\u2019s progress against development plans.<\/li>\n
- Great leaders understand and appreciate differences and respond to individuals in their preferred style. They accept that everyone is unique and special, and adapt their styles as needed, ultimately strengthening relationships and improving results.<\/li>\n
- Great leaders stretch their people to excellence and provide meaningful feedback.<\/li>\n
- Great leaders are \u201cin the boat\u201c with you and have compassion for the things you\u2019re\u00a0experiencing. You can feel their involvement; they make themselves visible and available during difficult times.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Great leaders truly feel PEOPLE come first, and their actions and behaviors reflect this. They\u2019re authentic, mean what they say, and deliver on what was committed to.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Are there any behaviors you could change to become a stronger leader?<\/p>\n
QwikTip and QwikCoach<\/h3>\n