Boss versus Leader, which are you?

Rod Bannister Photo/File

ONE person can make a significant difference to an entire team of people whether that be in the workplace, a community, a sporting team, a committee, a board of trustees, in fact any group in which each and every one of us is involved.

This one person can inspire, motivate and genuinely lead us on to greater heights, alternatively they can have a negative effect on our growth and aspirations.

Today I would like to have a brief look at the differences between a Boss and a Leader, both of these people can be in the same positions of responsibility however the way they deliver their philosophies can be worlds apart:

The Boss

Drives employees
Depends on authority
Inspires fear
Says "I"
Places blame for breakdown
Is a "know-it-all"
Uses people for their own benefit
Takes all of the credit
Commands
Says "go"

The Leader

Mentors employees
Depends on goodwill
Generates enthusiasm
Says "we"
Fixes the breakdown
Shows how it's done, if they do not know, finds out
Develops people
Gives credit and means it
Asks
Says "let's go"

The final bit

If you are in a position where you lead people, have a think about your leadership style and the positive/negative/value-add effects it has on the people you work with. Maybe, just maybe there is an opportunity to change your style for the better.

Remember, you only know what you know and it is your own unique view of the world, nobody entrusted your word, self-belief and thinking to be the universal way everyone should think, act and behave.

Just because you have a "title" that society says is full of self-importance, it does not mean you are the judge, jury and prosecutor; maybe if you open your mind up to new ways of doing things, listen intently and sincerely you could actually make significant improvements in many areas of your life as a result creating better results for the teams you lead?

Rod Bannister is an Australasian Masters squash champion, fitness expert and owner of Bannister Group, specialising in mentoring, sales and consultancy - BannisterGroup1@gmail.com