CONGRATULATIONS! You're in charge!

Congratulations! You’ve been placed in charge! It really doesn’t matter what it is you’re challenged to accomplish or the number of people you have to get the job done. What DOES matter is the way in which you approach your team. Will you be a Boss or a Leader?  What’s the difference you ask? PLENTY! The way you approach your position will be a huge factor in the success of you and your group. Here’s the good news…the decision is entirely up to you…so choose wisely.

One only needs to “Google” leader vs. boss to be faced with close to 30 million entries on the web. Here are some of my favorites for you to consider:

·        A boss drives others; a leader coaches them toward their best performance.

·        A boss instills fear; a leader inspires enthusiasm.

·        A boss blames others; a leader works to help repair the damage and understand what happened so it won't occur again.

·        A boss thinks in terms of him or herself; a leader thinks in terms of we.

·        A boss knows how it's done; a leader shows how it's done.

·        A boss depends on his or her own authority; a leader depends, along with the entire team, on mutual accountability and trust.

·        A boss uses people; a leader is interested in helping them grow and develop.

·        A boss takes the credit; a leader gives credit to others.

·        A boss is a commander; a leader is more concerned with asking and listening.

·        The boss says Go!; the leader says Let's go!

When reading between the lines, it should become obvious that a leader must let go of their ego and in doing so yield to other’s ideas, facilitate collegiality and collaboration and keep an open mind to all the possibilities generated by the group.

Who will you become? A boss or a leader?  Are you ready to choose? The ball is in YOUR court!

Be good to yourself…