Bosses vs. Leaders LO5420

Virginia I. Shafer (vshafer@AZStarNet.com)
Wed, 7 Feb 1996 08:47:06 -0700

Replying to LO5385 --

Stand back, Diane, the flood gate's been opened!

>I thought this might be an interesting thread. In the last few weeks I
>have wondered what words might describe the characteristics of a "boss"
>and a "leader". I have a few thoughts and would like to know what others
>think.
>
> BOSS LEADER
>
> Authoritative Collaborative
> Tells Facilitates

>From the Preface to _The Quality School_ by William Glasser, M.D. (about
putting Deming's principles into the school system):

A boss drives. A leader leads.
A boss relies on authority. A leader relies on cooperation.
A boss says, "I." A leader says, "We."
A boss creates fear. A leader creates confidence.
A boss knows how. A leader shows how.
A boss creates resentment. A leader breeds enthusiasm.
A boss fixes blame. A leader fixes mistakes.
A boss makes work drudgery. A leader makes work interesting.

And the following is offered as a corollary on managers and leaders:

The manager administers; the leader innovates.
The manager has a short-range view; the leader has a long-range
perspective.
The manager asks how and when; the leader asks what and why.
The manager has his eye on the bottom line; the leader has his eye
on the horizon.
The manager accepts the status quo; the leader challenges it.

Warren Bennis

The importance here is, leaders are imperative, and we need managers. We
don't need no stinkin' bosses!

Ciao'

--
Ginger Shafer
The Leadership Dimension
"Bringing Leadership to Life"
vshafer@azstarnet.com
 

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