How to Go from A Good Boss to A Good Leader

You might be using the terms equally, but being a boss does not necessarily mean you’re a leader. Although they are both positions of hierarchy whereby others look to you for guidance, there are plenty of characteristics that position individuals as leaders beyond just being bosses. In this short piece, we will briefly define five aspects that distinguish bosses from leaders and how you can apply them to go from a good boss to a good leader.

It’s All About the Values

There is plenty of literature that explains how to be a good boss, however, the best of them will rely on values to guide their actions. This is where leaders separate themselves from the traditional concept of the boss by leveraging these values to benefit not only their persona but also the overall development of each individual in the organization. 

Leadership

As illogical as it may seem, not all bosses have a strong sense of leadership. This is perhaps where they differentiate themselves most substantially. In the battle of boss vs leader, the former will tend to use their authority to tell others what to do while the latter will use their influence to show others how it is done, and why it is done that way. This approach leverages the power of coaching, making leaders instill a sense of self-accountability within their employees, leading to sustainable success throughout the organization.

Communication

Knowing how to transmit your ideas and strategy to others is paramount for aligning Individuals around the same mission. A good leader transmits information in a manner that inspires, making sure that doubts are settled before they cause delays. Having a well-established communication line between each of your teammates allows you to tap into and engage with the organization’s biggest source of potential; its employees. As the base upon which everything is built, efficient communication becomes crucial to optimize collaboration between teammates.

“Communication and communication strategy is not just part of the game—it is the game.” – Oscar Munoz, executive chairman of United Airlines.

Empowerment 

While bosses often use their power to maintain control, leaders take that power and use it to empower others. Instead of micromanaging to create docile, obedient workers, the leader applies mentorship and delegation to bolster confidence within every role in the company. Empowering others establishes the conditions for reliable future leaders to be created from within the organization.

Empathy

Seeing from other points of view allows an in-depth understanding of the motivations of everyone in the team. Empathy helps leaders match strengths and roles to maximize results. While bosses might believe they are doing right by focusing only on results, leaders know that to attain these results sustainably, they must always consider all their employees’ particulars.

Humility

Bosses may be scared of not knowing something which they believe they should. Recognizing gaps in knowledge, accepting and learning from mistakes, seeking advice from others, and keeping a receptive attitude in the face of differences are all traits that employees want in their leaders. It takes a degree of humility to allow yourself to continually learn, and without it, mistakes could easily become repetitive, making progress much slower than it could be.

The Bottom Line

The qualities of a good leader all come from a strong set of values. Applying those values to your position of power will play a crucial role in your team environment and your organization’s overall success. When done right, your way of doing things will influence and extend onto others who will imitate and adopt your values as their own. Transforming yourself from a boss to a leader will require a commitment to not just your company but to yourself as well. Attending events dedicated to entrepreneurs is an excellent way to keep up with best leadership practices. Apply the principles we have laid out for you, and you’ll be well on your way to becoming the ideal leader.