At the helm of a company, you oversee any behind-the-scenes work and your employees. However, that doesn't mean you're not part of the team. There's a big difference between being a boss and being a leader. By embracing a more encouraging, teamwork-based mindset, you'll be respected instead of feared.
Stand out from the rest
As the title states, leaders lead. They don't let their employees figure things out on their own. Leaders are there to support their workers in every way possible. Most importantly, they're there to encourage and motivate their staff. Leaders will take the time to get to know their employees, their interests, their backgrounds and their skills. Through this information, they'll know how to best motivate each individual to perform at the highest ability, Entrepreneur explained. Leaders aren't afraid for their employees to think outside the box and try new things. In both successes and failures, they'll be there to celebrate or offer advice.
Rather than micromanage, leaders are there to encourage and bounce ideas off. Instead of making sure a job gets done one way, they allow their workers to think for themselves, according to the source. They assign tasks and let employees figure out the work on their own without interference. With freedom, leaders' staff may come up with more efficient and innovative ways to get something accomplished, which could streamline the process and improve the business banking account within the company.
A member of the team
Bosses tend to supervise from afar, allowing their employees to do all the work. However, leaders do the opposite. They are out on the floor with their workers helping with day-to-day responsibilities and talking with clients. Leaders create an environment where everyone is equal. No one receives special attention or extra benefits and everyone is offered the same opportunities, Elite Daily explained. Personal preferences shouldn't get in the way of getting the job done. Bosses don't realize this, but leaders do.
Instead of bossing their employees around, leaders are also part of the team, according to the source. They help get the job done through performing tasks, offering advice and helping when asked as opposed to just telling staff what to do. They celebrate the successes, but aren't afraid to share the blame for the team's failures. Leaders also know that they're not the smartest on the team, so they're willing to learn new tasks and information as well as share their own knowledge.
Bosses run their company through control and separation. On the other hand, leaders take part in their teams' work and offer support. To truly be a leader, give your employees freedom to explore and encourage them to try new things.