You’ve probably heard the difference between being a boss and being a leader.  One manages their employees, while the other inspires them.

Good leadership within companies is a key element to increasing employee engagement.  And, employee engagement is a key element in retaining talent.

Employees are more engaged when they feel a part of the organization.  A place where their voices are heard and contributions count.  Leaders understand this and strive to connect with their teams through innovation and collaboration.

The Boss

A boss gives orders and supervises people, making sure they are carrying out the directives.  Someone with these traits might be a “boss.”

• Tells their team what to do in an impersonal, commanding way
• Takes credit for team accomplishments
• Focuses on processes
• Micromanages
• Thinks short-term
• Manages by fear
• Gives answers

The Leader    

A leader inspires and brings everyone together to achieve a goal.  Someone with these traits is more apt to be a “leader.”

• Is compassionate
• Gives credit to others
• Focuses on people
• Delegates
• Thinks long-term
• Earns respect
• Seeks solutions

Leadership and management go hand in hand.  In our new economy of knowledge workers, managers must nurture skills, develop talent and inspire results.  It is no longer just about assigning tasks but about aligning goals and outcomes. That’s where leaders come in.

As a business owner, it’s your job to steer your management team to become leaders.  They are instrumental in creating a workplace where employees can become engaged and add value to your product or service.  Or, they can be “bosses” who dictate processes and unimagined ideas.