Did you know? Bosses and leaders are different. You can be a boss but not a leader. You can also be a leader but not a boss. Ideally, you would be both. But here are some of the differences.

Bosses have the authority to lead people. A boss gives orders to his team and expects those orders to be followed. He observes the outcomes of his orders and instructs his team accordingly. He is the king riding the courser at the back of his infantry, barking at his team from a safe distance.

Leaders have the same authority as bosses, but they choose to lead by example. A leader’s role includes orders and observations, yet he is the king in the thick of the battle, encouraging his team and supporting their efforts from within. His valor sparks both inspiration and devotion.

How to Become a Better Leader

So now you’re a boss. You have the authority and power to lead your team. But does your team want to follow you? A great leader will earn the respect and loyalty of the team, inspiring them to do their best work. Here’s how you can transition from a boss to a leader.

Get Off Your High Horse

When you give orders from on high, you place yourself above your team instead of among them. Try taking responsibility for the team’s mission. Ask for their help working toward your collective goal. Don’t just observe; participate! Set the benchmark with your own work, then lift your team up to reach it. You’ll come to deserve that high status through your lofty actions, not the height of your horse.

Practice Humility

You don’t know everything, and you can’t do all the department’s work yourself, so let your team have some recognition when they complete a project or hit a major milestone. You don’t need to hog the credit! (And never, ever, take credit for your team member’s idea!) Highlighting the group effort will make your team ecstatic, earn you major loyalty points, and make you look like a capable, humble leader.

Share Your Knowledge

You won’t make yourself any less valuable by sharing your knowledge with your employees. Plus employees are happier, more loyal, and more competitive when their career development is at the forefront. Use your skills to inspire and empower your team, raising them up to perform better, achieve more, and eventually promote. You’ll be the leader whose coaching and development yields the company’s most treasured talent.

Build Lasting Relationships

The best leaders both love and are loved by their people. They build lasting relationships based on mutual respect and trust. Your team will work hard for you because you earned their loyalty, not because they fear your anger or retribution.

In Conclusion

You may be the boss, but becoming a true leader takes effort and commitment. Sometimes it’s better to set your title aside to work among your teammates—after all, you were their peer not so long ago. Don’t forget where you came from. When you lead by example and put extra energy into your team, you’ll earn the trust and respect that strengthens your role. Don’t just give orders; live them!