The Difference Between a Leader and a Boss…

It’s easy to think bosses and leaders are the same. In fact, they’re nearly opposites. So what makes a leader different from a boss? And which should you be?

The answer is simple: Leaders lead, motivate and empower. Bosses just try to get the job done. While bosses are focused on themselves, leaders look for ways they can help and encourage those around them.

Related: 9 Things Managers Do That Make Good Employees Quit

A leader understands that the people he or she works with are essential to an organization’s success, treating them as equals and providing them with helpful direction. Bosses, on the other hand, give out orders and view employees as disposable inferiors.

So, take a quick self-assessment: Are you a boss or a leader?