Leader vs Boss: What’s the difference?

By Ajay Dodiyar 

Introduction

The difference between a boss vs leader has nothing to do with your job position, at a glance, the same. They’re both individuals who lead another group of people. The terms boss and the leader are often used interchangeably but both boss and leader have different connotations. Even more crucially, when you see a boss vs. a leader in the practice, you can see the difference.

The Boss is a strong personality who focuses on business outcomes rather than relationships. Whereas, Leaders take measured and make positive changes in relationships, business practices, and communications. 

Understand the concept of boss vs. leader in this article and lead your fellow mates regardless of your official title.from Asia’s No.1 Business School

Who Is Boss?

A boss is an individual who is in charge of the organisation. He is someone who takes control over employees, orders assign tasks and duties to them.

In a company there is no term called ‘boss’, but the word indicates a person who is the owner of the organization.

Who is a Leader?

A leader is an individual who has the ability to influence and leads others by example. He is someone who holds a dominant position with a vision and stays committed to his goal. The qualities of a good leader are:

• Foresightedness
• Great communication skills
• Art of influencing and motivating others
• Stimulates work
• Clear goals
• Appreciate others
• Sets examples
• Takes responsibilities
• Does right things

Boss vs Leader: The Difference

A boss gives answers. A leader seeks solutions.

Leadership refers to an individual’s ability to influence, motivate, and enable others to contribute toward organizational success. A leader is a person who guides his employees to grow and develop problem-solving abilities and other skills that add value to a company.

A boss expects big results. A leader is generous with praise.

A leader is a person who appreciates your small achievement and also gives you constructive criticism whenever necessary. Praise and appreciation can motivate employees to perform better. While a boss always expects big results and accepts only good work. 

A boss counts value. A leader creates value.

A leader creates value by setting an example. While A boss focuses on counting value. As we read earlier leader gives constructive criticism to help someone improve. While the boss discourages a person straight on their face which could cause them to disengage.

A boss controls. A leader trusts

Boss is an individual who has the tendency to control workers. This behaviour can undermine productivity and growth. While a leader leads a team, engages with workers and inspire them to work. 

A boss commands. A leader listens and speaks.

We all know bosses commands, give orders and never listen!. However, leaders always listen to the opinions of their colleagues and support them to work for the companies betterment. 

A leader creates more leaders

Leaders set the framework for workers to grow, improve their skills and assume leadership roles themselves and inspire their employees to become leaders. 

Bosses always struggle to listen!. Listening skills is one of the most important aspects that a boss requires. Bosses should always listen to their employee’s concerns and feedback. While a leader always listens and take responsibility when deadlines aren’t met, stand with them and help them to reach the goal. To be a successful business owner listen more and speak less.

Bosses Push. Leaders Direct.

Boss’s push their staff too hard and set unrealistic standards that the workers can’t live up to. This can cause issues inside the company as employees try to find ways to deal with the demands.

You should approach the job much differently and focus on the team’s process before the result. Put yourself in their shoes! this can immensely bring in positive changes in your employees and they will respond positively and get you the results you need.

Make an effort to show empathy and the willingness to change can help inspire the people around you as a leader does. 

Bosses Rush. Leaders Are Patient.

A leader must practice patience and help your employees do their jobs more effectively and understand where your employees are experiencing issues. This will allow you to teach them how to do it themselves, freeing you to focus on doing your own job.

Bosses Expect Greatness. Leaders Teach It.

Effective leaders are good teachers!. The leader teaches their employees in a most efficient way while bosses expect their employees to know the best way to accomplish tasks, even if they’re new to them. 

Teaching your employees requires patience and the willingness to listen are a big part of what makes someone a great teacher. By taking the time to understand and educate your employees, you’ll find it easier to achieve results in a more efficient process.

Bosses Cause Nervousness. Leaders Inspire Confidence.

The last, but perhaps most important, difference between a boss vs. a leader is how they affect emotions. Nothing makes a boss happier than an inspired workspace where employees are comfortable voicing their opinions. Bosses often create an atmosphere of fear that discourages those behaviours, where leaders create a safe space that nurtures them.

Happy people do good work. All you have to do is show them respect and reward them. That’s why big successes—are only possible with great leadership.

Be a Leader, Not a Boss

Any good leader can be a boss, but every boss cant be a leader! This role is something you embrace mentally and emotionally that inspires your company and employees to greater heights.

Infographics on Boss vs Leader

Inspiring Quotes On Leaders and Bosses

A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves.– Lao Tzu

A boss demands blind obedience; a leader earns his authority through understanding and trust.– Klaus Balkenhol

The key to successful leadership is influence, not authority.– Kenneth H. Blanchard

My job is not to be easy on people. My job is to take these great people we have and to push them and make them even better.– Steve Jobs

Successful leaders see the opportunities in every difficulty rather than the difficulty in every opportunity.– Reed Markham

Leadership is the art of giving people a platform for spreading ideas that work.– Seth Godin

Conclusion

A leader is a person who leads his followers and guides them in different matters. On the other hand, a boss is someone who is the owner of the business and in charge of the workplace. The difference between these two is a matter of psychology, i.e. if you are a boss, you need to be strict with the employees to get the things done from them or else they will start fooling you.

On the contrary, being a leader you have to be a good listener and play a supporting role to boost the morale of the followers from time to time.