The term that may seem most worn out for someone who holds a position of responsibility in a company is undoubtedly the word "Boss".
I remember once an employee told me she did not admire anyone who called themselves a boss, because only tribes have chiefs. She admired "Leaders".
But after all, what is better to be? Boss, Manager, or Leader?
This answer is straightforward if we look at what each of these words means:
Boss: An individual who, among others, holds authority or direction. An employee or staff member in charge of directing or supervising a section, department, division, etc.
It is clear that the role of boss is more closely tied to hierarchical position and the AUTHORITY granted by the company for someone to exercise direction or supervision over a team or a given department. But what, then, would a manager or a leader be?
Manager: An individual who, without a formal mandate, administers someone else's business affairs.
The manager is therefore connected to a TRUST placed by the company in that person to administer a business or a result. If the word boss is tied to authority, the word manager is tied to trust and responsibility.
But what about the leader? How does that fit into all of this?
Leader: A person who, by their prestige and influence, commands, guides, and motivates others in their activities, leading those around them to admire, respect, and defend their ideas.
Now things become clearer. The leader is associated with INFLUENCE over others. There is not necessarily a direct relationship between leadership and being a boss or a manager.
So what is better to be?
As professionals, we must seek a balance among these three characteristics:
Being bosses who know how to exercise the authority granted to us by the company.
Being responsible managers, committed to the company's results and honoring the trust placed in us.
Using the influence we have over other people correctly, guiding them toward the best results, both for the company and for each person's career.
Do not worry about labels. A title or position will not define your standing in relation to your team.
Do not be ashamed to be a boss, be a diligent manager, and make good use of your leadership.
