The main difference between a boss and a leader has nothing to do with the title of authority. Many bosses are not leaders but leaders do so without the position of authority. While you search for the meaning of boss and leader in a dictionary you will find both as each other’s synonyms. But in a practical world, the success and the failure of your company are based on whether you are a leader or a boss.

Who Is Boss?

A boss is a person who manages and controls the workers in an organizational framework and tells them what to do. They assign tasks and duties to employees and are only concerned about profitable output.

Who Is the Leader?

A leader is a person who has the ability to inspire and lead people, with a vision and commitment which convinces other people to follow them as an example. 

Responsibilities of Boss and Leader:

In an organizational framework, both positions are different and both have different responsibilities.

Responsibilities of the Boss:

•      Set objectives   
•      Make strategies
•       Assign Duties
•      Formulate Plans

Responsibilities of Leader:

•         Team building
•         Formulation of plans
•         Execution of plans
•         Successful task completion
•         Inspire team members

10 Steps to Differentiate a Leader From a Boss:

1. Bosses Push, Leaders Direct

Bosses set unrealistic standards and tend to push their staff to live up to those standards. This causes hardship for the employees to survive in the company. Leaders direct their employees and set them as an example for them to follow. Great leaders work alongside their coworkers and provide ideas. This gives confidence to employees to work in a  healthy environment.

2. Bosses Need Answers, Leaders Seek Solutions

Bosses are concerned with profitable answers from employees. They assign tasks to employees and by the end, they want favorable results. On the other hand, leaders guide employees through the process of how to do tasks and develop problem-solving skills among employees which ultimately contribute to the growth of an organization in the longer term.

3. Bosses Count Values, Leaders Create Values

Bosses focus on counting values. Leaders are concerned about creating values through their ability to bring change in the organization through other employees. Leadership works efficiently when you reach people effectively.

4. Bosses Discourage, Leaders Improve

Bosses say straight no on the faces of employees which discourages and disengages them. Cowardly behavior leads to paying less interest in the tasks. While leaders give constructive criticism which helps employees grow intellectually and work efficiently.

5. Bosses Control, Leaders Praise

We all know that bosses give orders and commands. They tend to control employees and never listen to them. Leaders do, however, constantly pay attention to the views of their employees and encourage them to strive for the advancement of the company.

6. Bosses Put the Blame on Others, Leaders Take the Blame

Bosses hold employees accountable for failures and damages to the company. Rather than figuring out the wrongs and working for the solutions, they blame employees. Leaders, when a team fails, take responsibility, indicate the wrong, and take corrective measures along with the employees.

7. Bosses Think They Are Always Right, Leaders Believe In Learning

Bosses think that they know best. They cannot be wrong and questionable. No one can question their authority. Leaders are always prone to learning. They ask people for feedback and consider it. They believe in “Leadership and Learning is indispensable to each other” (John F. Kennedy).

8. Bosses Demand Respect, Leaders Earn Respect

Bosses believe in superiority and demand respect from their subordinates by creating fear among them. Leaders value their subordinates, support them and create a healthy workspace for them. Leaders’ supportive and healthy relationships with the employees gain the trust of employees with no fear and more respect for their leader.

9. Bosses Take Credit, Leaders Give Credit

Bosses take all the credit for success without sharing it with their employees. Leaders, on the other hand, share success with their team and consider their team’s contribution equally important in achieving the tasks. They believe that success isn’t achieved by a single person but through teamwork.

10. Bosses Focus on the Bottom Line, Leaders Focus on Innovation 

Bosses show concerns about metrics and results and focus on strict rules and processes. They don’t go beyond the bottom line. Leaders are innovative, once they reach the bottom line they think that where they can go from there. They are not stagnant, they believe in innovation and constantly reevaluate the processes to improve.

Comparison Chart: Key Differences Between a Boss and a Leader

Sr. No.	Boss	Leader
1	A boss has employees.	A leader has followers.
2	A boss control through fear.	A leader inspires and motivates through trust.
3	A boss gains respect due to his position of power.	A leader earns respect through the goodwill of character.
4	A boss focuses on profitable results.	A leader put employees first and focuses on how to attain favorable results.
5	A boss sticks to the organizational norms and regulations.	A leader’s actions are guided by principles.
6	A boss exercises control over employees.	A leader focuses on commitment.
7	A boss delegates duties and responsibilities to employees.	A leader delegates authority to employees.

5 Qualities of a Successful Leader:

You may find a boss in all companies but finding a person with leadership qualities isn’t easy. So, here are five qualities of leadership that will help you be one of the great leaders: 

• Self-awareness
• Strategic thinker 
• Visionary 
• Growth of other team members
• A good Communicator

1. A good leader possesses self-awareness. They know what they are saying and how they are acting. They are also concerned about their body language and what message they are giving through nonverbal communication. This helps in times of extreme stress as employees are looking up to them and how they react in times of stress.
2. A Leader encourages strategic thinking: Where leaders focus on the internal factors of the organization such as project roadmaps and staffing requirements, they also consider the external factors of the organization such as infrastructure and intellectual advancement while strategic decision-making.
3.  A leader always has a vision: A visionary leader is an ambitious and forward thinker. They work hard for greater results by keeping their visions in their mind. They do not hesitate to take risks in ensuring their vision.
4. A good leader focuses on the growth of other team members: True leaders believe in the principle of “situational leadership theory”. According to the theory, a leader must consider the growth, level of maturity, and level of authority of the employees which helps them in the decision-making process.
5. A leader focuses on relationship building and practices cross-culture communication: optimistic leaders focus on the better future of their organization. They practice enthusiasm, motivation, confidence, and passion when they communicate within the organization. They also respect and acknowledge different communication traditions. 

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Conclusion

A leader can be a boss but a boss can never be a leader until and unless he possesses the qualities and characteristics of a leader. Only a great leader creates more leaders by motivating and inspiring their employees. Leaders ensure a healthy environment at the workplace which helps employees to grow and leads to the great future of the organization. So, the difference between a boss and a leader is majorly psychological, the lens through which they view the world. 

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