“A leader is someone who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” - John Maxwell

I don't know about you but when I was a young professional all I head about was "The Boss".

And though I'm old enough to draw this cultural reference, I'm not referring to the Ultimate Boss, Bruce Springsteen! Rather the kind of boss who bails you up in the tea room to micromanage your latest report or emails you all hours of the day or night to give you another lay of instructions.

In those early years of my career I heard a LOT about bosses; good bosses, bad bosses and those that sat between the two. But it wasn't until I left the finance industry and pursued a career in a different arena that I started to learn about and experience the magic of leadership.

When I started my own business I knew I wanted to be a leader. Not The Boss.

Recently I was thinking about the key differences between the people I meet who are bosses and those who are leaders and how that distinct difference dictates the success of their business.

I was thinking this as I was elbow deep in dish water in our office kitchen - washing up after a team meeting. Now if I was a good boss I'd have tasked one of my team with the job and got on with other "more important things". But in the spirit of good leadership I know my actions speak louder than words.

I don’t care what level of the business I’m at, even though I hate the dishes, I’m never too important to wash them.

Often I speak with business owners who are moving out of start up phase and starting to employ more team members and they are are really struggling with the idea of how to be the best possible boss.

Leadership is rarely, if ever, on their radar.

Maybe it's because like younger me they've never truly experienced the liberation and gratitude that comes from working with a great leader. Maybe they've always worked under someone else so the mental shift that's required to move to a different level of responsibility is overwhelming.

But also because I think playing The Boss is safe. It's a bit of an iceberg that hides all the fear and discomfort that comes with growing your business and stepping out of your comfort zone.

Is the difference important?

A boss understands the tasks or the work that's required to deliver a result - often they've had on the ground experience doing that job personally. Whereas a leader supports, guides, and inspires their team to contribute their own set of skills, expertise and experiences to reach the over all goal or vision of the business.

If you find yourself doing any of these things, chances are you're acting more like a boss and less like a leader...

You find yourself complaining that no one is doing things the way they should, that your team are sooooo frustrating, they can't do anything right, they are stupid or that you’d be better off doing the job yourself.

(A leader will recognise something went wrong, discuss it and then figure out ways to help their team do better.)

You tell everyone what to do and when to do it by based on your own understanding of the work and time that's involved without consulting your team (because you're the Boss!).

(A leader will listen to their team and appreciate they are often completing the same tasks to a higher standard or lack the skills or experience to finish it in the same time frame you would have.)

You accept nothing but perfection from your team and are quick to point out their failings or micromanage their performance.

(A leader understands their own skills, abilities and limitations and is able to admit their failings and learnings which creates a safe space for others to admit theirs.)

.......

Are you being a leader or a boss?

Being a leader hasn't always come easily to me but I have made it a priority to lead through ACTION. The result has been an amazing, motivated, engaged and passionate team of people who help bring my vision to life.