Are You a Boss or a Leader?

by Jaime Marco

Are You a Boss or a Leader?

by Jaime Marco

by Jaime Marco
 A recent Gallup study found that 50% of adults quit their last job because of their manager/boss. In addition, the survey found that the top two reasons for quitting was that workers felt like they were given little guidance for understanding what was expected of them and that their manger just did not care about them. This brings me to my favorite question, do you consider yourself a manager/boss, a leader, or both? Your answer may be the reason why you have lost team members or have some that are considering leaving and the main culprit could be you.
The headline that often grabs our attention, as it did in that Gallup study, is: “People leave managers, not companies.”  Why is that? Well, probably because it is very true. When people are managed poorly the results can be unhappiness, reduced efficiency, and high staff turnover. No one likes any of these results. That’s why it’s important we start understanding the differences between being a manager and a leader. So, what’s really the difference between a manager and a leader? Well, the Wall Street Journal wrote a management guide about the Difference Between Management and Leadership, offering some distinctions between the two:
  • The manager administers; the leader innovates.
  • The manager is a copy; the leader is an original.
  • The manager maintains; the leader develops.
  • The manager focuses on systems and structure; the leader focuses on people.
  • The manager relies on control; the leader inspires trust.
  • The manager has a short-range view; the leader has a long-range perspective.
  • The manager asks how and when; the leader asks what and why.
  • The manager’s eye is on the bottom line; the leader’s eye is on the horizon.
  • The manager imitates; the leader originates.
  • The manager accepts the status quo; the leader challenges it.
  • The manager is the classic good soldier; the leader is his or her own person.
  • The manager does things right; the leader does the right thing.
So now, ask yourself: “How do I measure up to this list? Do I tend to lean more towards being a manager or a leader?” It may be difficult to answer at first or maybe you think it’s easy. Regardless, this is a good opportunity to reflect on how you have been managing your team and find ways to take it up notch so that you don’t become part of that dreaded headline, “People leave managers, not companies.”

Jaime Marco is the owner and President of Evolve Business Consulting. Jaime is a graduate of the University of Central Florida in Orlando and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Interpersonal Communications. Jaime has an established, comprehensive, and proven background in sales, branding, training & development, leadership coaching, facilitation, change management, business development and professional speaking – experience that she has cultivated over many years.

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