As I have shared many times in the past, I've become a huge fan of the American television show, The Office. I came across one of my favorite episodes, "Search Committee", when the Scranton branch puts together a search committee to find the next boss (Michael Scott had left the company). The character Ryan, played by B.J. Novak, had a great line (here's the video clip):
"I got away with everything under the last boss and it wasn't good for me at all. So I want guidance. I want leadership. But don't just boss me around, you know. Lead me. Lead me...when I'm in the mood to be led."
Ryan is correct when he suggests that leadership is not the same thing as bossing people around. Leadership requires a lot more. While a boss manages through authority, a leader inspires and influences. While a boss focuses on issuing directives, assigning tasks, and focusing on results and control, a leader guides and motivates people to innovate and grow. Leaders foster trust, loyalty, and commitment by providing a vision. A boss leverages what is called positional power, while a leader leverages personal power, or influential authority.
I won't comment on Ryan's second point, other than to say that leadership can be challenging when people do not wish to be led...
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