Are you a Boss? Go the extra mile and become a Leader

You've just got your promotion. You are happy. You've been waiting a long time for this to happen, and you deserve it.
But you are scared. This is a new position. Are you going to perform it correctly? Will your team members still like you?

Or maybe you have been in that position for a long time, but you don't have the desired results.

In any case, your activity is to get people working together and meet the goals assigned to you.

Big problem: Your goals don't depend on your individual work but on your team's work. You are the Boss.

Leader vs Boss

There are different types of bosses. You know that. You already felt the sensation of doing your job because you are professional or afraid of being fired. And you also did your job because you believed it was vital for you and the team.

In those 2 scenarios, we see the different feelings that a Boss and a Leader cause in their employees.

But what about you? What of these 2 you are, and, most importantly, what would you like to be?

You may recognize characteristics of both in your way of working. Let's check some of them:

• Bosses use their authority to command and give orders. Leaders persuade and influence their teams by selling ideas.
• A Boss likes things done on their way. A Leader is open to new ideas and fosters creativity in their teams.
• A Boss points out mistakes and blames their team members, raising fear, threatening, and positioning themselves above their teams. Leaders work together with their teams to identify errors, find solutions, and improve the team's performance.
• A Boss tells what people must do, but a Leader shows them how.
• Bosses have difficulties showing vulnerability and saying things like "I don't know," "You were right," or "I'm sorry." Leaders show they are human and sacrifice together with their team.
• A Boss micromanages. A Leader gives freedom to their team members.
• Bosses overstate their activities and responsibilities. They are often too busy and keep information to themselves because it's confidential. Leaders are relaxed, send clear messages about their availability, and share what's happening in the company with their teams.

Leader's Advantages

There are many advantages to being the Leader of your team. Some of them:

• People will choose to go in your direction because they believe in your cause and want to be part of it.
• Team members will do their best.
• Less turnover → More expertise.
• The output of the team will improve—better products and services.
• You will learn from your team.
• Less stress and better lives for you and your team members.

In summary, you will have better results and work happier.

How to Become a Leader

Against some myths, Leading can be learned. There is no magic formula, but practicing the following habits will help you:

• Identify your behaviors. When do you feel bossy? How do people respond to it?
• Get to know your team. Get genuinely interested in them, their careers, and their motivation.
• Work on your ego and insecurities. How do you feel when you don't have the solution or best idea?
• Assess how you open space for creativity in your team. If nothing is coming from them, chances are that the strategy you are using is not appropriate.
• Invest time in delegating. Be aware that you will face more mistakes. Give support and guidance. Assess your tone. How do you react when things are done differently or incorrectly?

This is a constant practice, like working out. You are not going to become a great leader overnight. You need to continue doing this work every day.

It will also take time for your team to feel confident and release themselves. You have to work on that and make adjustments.

Even with good intentions, things can go wrong.

Leadership's Misconceptions

While trying to be more present, beware of some behaviors and common misconceptions:

• Doing your team members' jobs: Support, guide, and help when required is one thing. But doing their activity as a tentative to be liked is entirely different.
• Avoiding difficult conversations: Being a leader doesn't mean that you can't tell your team members that some activity was incorrectly performed. The difference is how you face the mistake, not only in your tone but also in understanding why "we" made it.
• Being friends with their team: You don't need to be friends or unprofessional to get your team's confidence. You need to have a good relationship with the team, not be friends. You can be friends with one or another if it happens (which will create an extra difficulty for you). Be friendly, not friends.

Conclusion

I'm sure you can recognize yourself in these behaviors, and you can also put someone's face on each of them.

Being a Boss is relatively straightforward: You get the promotion and are the Boss. But Leadership is a long and challenging way.

I hope this can help you on your journey. Cheers.