ACADEMIA FORȚELOR TERESTRE

„NICOLAE BĂLCESCU“

ESSAY

People ask the difference between a leader and a boss...

The leader works in the open, and the boss in covert. The
leader leads and the boss drives.

Întocmit
Masterand
PLOȘNIȚĂ Cătălin-Andrei

-SIBIU, 2018-
 The difference between a leader and a boss has a lot to do with the
psychology through which we see the world. Societal input demands that we
have leaders of all kinds. A leader is someone who rises to the occasion, is
appointed to arise to the occasion, or has a natural ability to inspire and dispense
delegated duties to willing followers. A leader is a leader because the followers
allow him or her to be one.
A boss does not need the same type of psychological support in order to
remain the boss. He or she either owns a business, or has been appointed to run
the business. While there are bosses with great leadership qualities, it is not
necessary to have such qualities in order to be a boss. The effectiveness of the
position can be determined through fear of losing one’s job, or through personal
motivation and inspiration.
While there are some leadership positions that are paid employment, more
often a leader is not paid. It can be someone in the community doing good work,
or it can be someone in the community bringing others into a life of crime. A
leader does not have to, by definition, lead his or her followers toward a better
life.
While we can call political figures leaders, they more or less hold a
leadership position without necessarily being a leader. Remember that it easier to
promote the promise of leadership to get into office, versus actually being one
once you get there.
A boss has authority, whether or not it’s been earned and respected. The
boss’ word is simply the boss’ word, whether it pleases or angers you. A boss
holds your family’s wellbeing in his hands by permitting you to have a job, or by
suddenly denying your employment. A leader’s authority comes in the form of
people’s belief. A leader’s authority can be taken away more easily than a boss’
authority. If enough people stop believing in the words of the leader, he or she
stops having influence over others.
Leaders are more likely to get some sort of public recognition for either
their good works, or their capacity to turn followers against good works in the
community, or around the world. Recognition can be anything from
accommodation for service, to being on the FBI’s most-wanted list. For a
lifetime of service, the most recognition many bosses receive, is their paycheck
and a party for their retirement. Bosses are not likely to be recognized by the
general public.
2
 Leadership is an endlessly fascinating topic because it’s one of those things
that we recognize when we see it in action, but it’s frustratingly difficult to
define or quantify in terms we can all agree upon. All we know for sure is that in
organizations of all kinds businesses, charitable organizations, civic
organizations, units of government if two or more people are involved,
leadership will be required to carry out whatever their mission is. Not everyone
in a position of authority is a leader (although arguably they should be), nor does
a leader need to be in a position of authority to demonstrate good leadership.
Leaders can’t be appointed nor can leadership be bestowed it is a life choice
people make for themselves to either accept that responsibility or avoid it.
“People ask the difference between a leader and a boss. The leader leads
and the boss drives.”Theodore Roosevelt
I think we all know that good leaders can be found throughout an
organization, from the very top to the very bottom and everywhere in between.
Unfortunately, non-leaders who somehow got themselves into positions of
authority can often be found there as well.
Leaders are consistent.
• It’s hard to follow someone who is zig zagging all over the place.
Followers will get lost when a leader is constantly changing direction or
changing priorities.
• Leaders are also consistent in the way they maintain their composure
tough to have confidence in someone who “loses it” whenever there’s a bump in
the road.
• Leaders are consistent in the way they apply rules and policies they don’t
play favorites or enforce rules selectively.
Leaders are dependable, trustworthy.
• They do what they say they’ll do and do it within the timeframe they
commit to.
• When they are unable to deliver on a commitment, they will notify
everyone affected as early as possible.
Leaders are responsible.
• They don’t try to shift blame when something under their control goes
wrong.
• They don’t try to make excuses.
Leaders are unselfish.
• They always make their own interests subordinate to the “greater good” of
their organization
• They never try to take or share credit for someone else’s work.
• They accept the responsibility of being guide and mentor to those in their
care.
3
 • They will be the first line of defense when their people need to be
defended. He or she will always have their back. He or she will always offer help
when asked.
Leaders are good communicators.
• They operate by the “Doctrine of No Surprises,” up the chain of command
and down.
• They listen They show dignity and respect to their people by taking
seriously their thoughts, ideas, and concerns.
Everyone has a boss. Even bosses have bosses whether they work for major
corporations or small businesses. Owners of such enterprises themselves have
the shareholders or customers to answer to in order to keep the business moving
and growing.
In today’s fast-paced, competitive and money driven society, the boss has,
in many cases, ceased from being a leader and has strictly become a higher up
who spouts orders and expects them to be obeyed without question. Such
behavior has resulted in businesses being filled with disgruntled employees who
no longer work for the common good of the company, but reluctantly show up to
their “job” in order to draw a paycheck or become ravenous dogs fighting it out
for the top spots so they can give the orders.
However, the underlying attitudes produced by such actions can be quite
damaging to a business as bosses become chariot taskmasters cracking whips to
drive their employees onward towards the goal. It is much healthier for all
involved if companies hire and nurture leaders who are willing to take the lead
positions and pull their employees forward by example.
The major difference between bosses and leaders is that bosses create
disharmony, reluctance and internal fighting which can make reaching the goal
difficult while leaders provide encouragement, pride and cooperation which not
only drives the business to reach the goal, but quite often surpasses the goal. In a
race between the two chariots, the one being drawn by the leader will ultimately
reach the finish line before the one being whipped and prodded by a dictatorial
task master. The employees of the leader will also have elevated spirits that are
rearing and raring to tackle the next race.
Although ‘boss’ is generally defined as a person who is in charge of
overseeing workers, its use as an adjective reflects someone who gives orders in
a manner that is domineering. This, in a nutshell, is the root characteristic of a
boss.
The boss tends to only work towards the goals set by their higher ups so
that they look good. Because profits have become the ‘golden idle’ of business,
bosses tend to exploit those under them by paying them the least amount
possible while extracting the most work that they can.
4
 The boss drives his underlings onward through fear and intimidation. They
set their authority as the supreme law for those under them who are expected to
serve and toil without question. They demand respect simply based on their
position and, if questioned, will dole out swift punishments or offer severe
threats that send the brow-beaten employees back to their laborious tasks in the
rank and file system.
A leader also has the authority to manage, but they tend to have a much
more positive influence. ‘Leader’ is synonymous with ‘conductor’ and is defined
as the principal performer of a group such as the lead horse in the chariot
scenario. The leader takes charge by example and those under his influence are
encouraged and given direction accordingly.
The leader provides an admirable example for his employees to follow. He
inspires his followers to perform and reach towards his level of expertise which,
in turn, improves their skills and experience. The team is, therefore, strengthened
by the leader’s example as they are provide clear guidance and all are exalted in
their abilities.
Employees of the leader are also edified and made to feel an active part of
the business whole. This is because the leader encourages his employees to make
suggestions, offer ideas, discuss pros and cons, all of which strengthen the fabric
of the overall business. A leader may spend the extra time and money on morale-
building activities or additional training like error prevention or leadership
training because he or she knows it will benefit the company’s employees and
enrich them as people.
When comparing bosses and leaders, the leader garners real respect through
his example while the boss demands respect through his position of authority
only. The well-being of employees is also guarded and attended by the leader
whereas the boss’s only concern is the level of productivity and meeting goals.
The ‘we’ and ‘let’s go’ expressions of the leader builds pride, confidence and a
sense of belonging with his followers, but the ‘I’ and ‘you go’ attitude of the
boss breeds isolation and inferiority.
When it comes down to bottom-line results between a boss and a leader, the
leader inspires much greater productivity and success which are often thwarted
by the driving, authoritarian nature of the boss. Employees being led forward are
much happier, more productive and more creative than those driven forward by
demand.
In order for a business to thrive and flourish, it requires the full cooperation,
effort and positive energy of its employees. For that atmosphere to exist,
employees need those that assume the lead position, guide by example and
inspire them to pull together towards the common goal of success.