Leader and Boss: Learn how to hire a leader

There are many differences between leaders and bosses. If we are to compare the definition of a leader and a boss, we will realize that they are very similar – a person who runs a department or an organization. However, the leader influences the behavior of other people in order to achieve the results in the best possible way. A true leader knows how to delegate authority, be considerate of team members, facilitate open communication, and set employee expectations.

Knowing how to choose a leader for your company is crucial to achieving long-term results. A bad boss can ruin your company. So, keep an eye on the following tips to be able to clearly discern the differences between a leader and a boss.

How to hire a leader

A well-designed leadership hiring strategy includes best practices, such as assessing relevant experience and culture. But it goes beyond that to determine if a candidate has the skills and attributes to be a leader.

When holding a manager or executive role, look for key personality traits that will trigger the leader's positive behaviors listed below.

1. Professional behavior
2. Focused on results
3. Has emotional intelligence
4. Take responsibility for their own actions
5. Influences others to work towards a common goal
6. Knows how to make wise choices in difficult situations
7. Can cultivate relationships within their team
8. Knows how to delegate responsibilities to their team

The benefits of hiring good leaders

Hiring good leaders can accelerate an organization's success. Effective managers can undoubtedly dramatically increase productivity, raise employee self-esteem, and increase competitive advantage for any company. In addition, customers can also be more satisfied with the service and increase their retention. Hiring good leaders fosters a climate that motivates high performance throughout the organization.

Differences between leader and boss

1. The boss gives commands, a leader influences.

The main difference is that a boss's authority comes from their position, while a leader's authority comes from his ability to influence others. A boss is there to make sure employees follow an organization's rules, and a leader, however, encourages other people to think for themselves.

A boss needs to give orders to instruct his employees on what to do, but a leader inspires his team to find the best path and explore their potential. Leaders can increase their influence by encouraging their team, listening to their ideas, and sharing the reason behind their decisions. This management model makes all the difference; people will follow you because they want to, not just because they have to.

2. The boss explains, a leader inspires.

A good manager shouldn't just explain a task and leave it in the hands of their employees. A boss makes sure their employees understand their work, while a leader supports and guides them through this process. The biggest difference between a leader and a boss is that a good leader knows how to inspire their team and motivate them to do their job.

Success requires passion; without the desire to complete tasks, employees will not be as motivated to do their best. Leaders must motivate their employees, and explain the importance of their work.

3. The boss disciplines, a mentor leader.

Mistakes are a part of everyone's life, and this is no different at work. A good manager knows how to handle unexpected situations. Bosses are more likely to “punish” their employees to correct their mistakes. But great leaders know that people learn much more from their mistakes than successes. If an employee can perform better in a given area, this must be recognized by the manager.

A key element of leadership is the ability to leverage other people's talents to achieve a common goal. It's important to look at each employee's strengths and weaknesses and coach them on that. Instead of judging difficulties, the leader must guide his employees to seek to improve and increase their confidence in new areas.
 

4. The boss delegates tasks, a leader delegates authority.

A boss is focused on their department's goals and is strict about following protocol to achieve those goals. They think short term, delegate tasks to their team, and don't closely monitor their employees. A boss has goals to achieve, while a leader sets the long-term vision for the team and knows how to use it to motivate them.

A boss just orders people what to do, while a good leader lets his team figure out what to do and follows them closely. Good managers know how to lead by example so that others follow in their footsteps and manage to develop. They know how to delegate their authority and always look for the evolution that their team can evolve. Through their communication and negotiation skills, they know how to influence others for the common benefit of the organization.
 

5. The boss is above the team; the leader is part of the team.

A boss doesn't take the time to get to know their employees as a leader. Bosses see their team members as below them, while leaders don't care much about hierarchy, they look at their team members on the same level.

To be a leader, it's important to facilitate positive relationships with your employees. A good leader works with the needs of your team and creates a culture that encourages open communication.

By getting to know their team better, the leader is able to convey their vision more clearly, knowing how to discern the best way to approach each person. Good leaders are genuine and loyal. They set an example for your company. A leader without passion or motivation will influence their team in the same way. Leaders cannot be afraid to be human, they have to be real and express their emotions to connect with their employees.