Abdulwahab
CEO: a leader or a boss?
Does a CEO act as a leader or as a boss? How to work as both? #business #finance #management #company-culture
6 answers
Paul Zugnoni
Paul’s Answer
Hi Abdulwahab,
One of the most concise descriptions I've kept about the role of a CEO was commented by @CTOAdvisor Keith Townsend on a podcast I listen to. He describes the role of a CEO as one of, or a combo of the following:
The leader of the Company
The manager of the Company
* The face of the Company
The Leader role is well described by Daniela above (takes a bit of natural leadership, understand people's motivations, group dynamics, how divisions need to work together).
A manager role is more in line with Boss, or otherwise thought of the person managing the business (here's where an MBA can help). When this is not the CEO playing this role, it's often the COO.
The Face of the Company may be the most self explanatory - Many CEO's bring value to a company by being the person in the public, representing the company to outside parties. They are their own PR.
Which of these roles is played by the CEO versus others in the company varies by company, but every CEO needs to support at least a little bit of each role.
Paul
Daniela Silva
Daniela’s Answer
Hello, again!
Boss Versus Leader - There Are Differences
A leader can be a boss, but not every boss is a leader. In aspiring to climb to higher levels in business, many people make the mistake of dreaming about becoming 'the boss' rather than becoming a leader.
Great leaders share a combination of traits and behaviours:
Vision - Leaders have exceptional vision and the ability to convey it to others. Their leadership comes from a strength of purpose.
Value - Their leadership reflects that they care. Their view is to deliver value to customers and colleagues alike.
Character - Their leadership reflects their integrity.
Communication - Real leaders articulate vision and ideas, taking the time to listen to others concerns and thoughts. Honest communication fuels them.
Empowerment: Leaders empower, instilling confidence in others and letting them take ownership of their work.
Efficiency - Leaders are motivated by the creation of a future. Each goal is significant and actionable, as well as being attainable and fully understood by all. Such leadership predicates the things that matter and is synonymous with high-performance teams and organisations.
Recognition - Leaders appreciate and recognise the team they are working with as well as their efforts. Leaders respect and know how to treat people.
Leadership increases performance. Leadership increases productivity. Leadership increases profit. Good leaders are an invaluable asset to a company, and poor leadership has the potential to destroy it.
Leaders are not a different breed of people. They are not born to lead but prepared to lead. Leadership skills can be taught and learned.
Source: http://www.ceoinstitute.com/resources/ceos-desk/blog-article/boss-versus-leader-there-are-differences/
Best!
Elizabeth Gravina Wetherall
Elizabeth’s Answer
To me, every member of an organization is a leader. Out individual behaviors and actions can influence others (both positively and negatively). We should lead by example, bringing the best of ourselves forward everyday, and encouraging those around us to do the same.
James Constantine Frangos
James Constantine’s Answer
BOTH!
CEO: Leader or Boss?
In the corporate world, the role of a CEO (Chief Executive Officer) is often debated in terms of whether they act more as a leader or a boss within an organization. The distinction between being a leader and a boss lies in their approach to managing people, making decisions, and setting the overall tone for the company culture.
Leader vs. Boss:
Leader: A leader is someone who inspires, motivates, and guides their team towards a common goal. Leaders focus on empowering their employees, fostering collaboration, and creating a positive work environment. They lead by example, encourage innovation, and prioritize the growth and development of their team members.
Boss: On the other hand, a boss typically focuses on giving orders, enforcing rules, and ensuring that tasks are completed. While bosses also hold authority over their subordinates, their leadership style may lean more towards micromanagement and control rather than empowerment and trust.
CEO as a Leader:
A CEO who acts primarily as a leader embodies certain key characteristics:
Visionary: A leader sets a clear vision for the company’s future and inspires others to work towards achieving that vision.
Effective Communicator: Communication is essential for leadership. A CEO must effectively communicate goals, expectations, and feedback to employees.
Empowerment: Leaders empower their teams by delegating responsibilities, providing resources for success, and encouraging autonomy.
Strategic Thinker: CEOs need to think strategically about the direction of the company, market trends, competition, and long-term goals.
Relationship Builder: Building strong relationships with employees, stakeholders, customers, and partners is crucial for effective leadership.
CEO as a Boss:
While some aspects of being a boss are necessary in any leadership role (such as making tough decisions), relying solely on authoritative power can hinder employee morale and productivity. However, there are instances where exhibiting boss-like qualities can be beneficial:
Decision-Making: CEOs must make critical decisions that impact the company’s success. In this regard, being decisive is essential.
Accountability: Holding employees accountable for their actions and ensuring that tasks are completed efficiently is part of effective management.
Performance Management: Monitoring performance metrics and addressing underperformance is crucial for maintaining organizational effectiveness.
Balancing Leadership and Authority:
To be successful in both roles as a CEO - leader and boss - it’s important to strike a balance between inspiring leadership qualities and necessary managerial responsibilities:
Lead by Example: Demonstrate the behavior you expect from your team members to earn respect and trust.
Listen Actively: Encourage open communication within the organization to understand employee concerns and ideas.
Provide Guidance: Offer mentorship opportunities to help employees grow professionally while maintaining accountability for results.
Recognize Achievements: Acknowledge individual and team accomplishments to boost morale and motivation.
Adaptability: Be flexible in your approach to leadership based on situational needs while staying true to your core values.
In conclusion, an effective CEO should embody both leadership qualities that inspire others towards a common goal and managerial skills that ensure operational efficiency within the organization.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
Harvard Business Review
Forbes
Entrepreneur
God Bless You, Richly!
JC.
Claudio S Barbosa
Claudio S’s Answer
I believe the CEO acts a leader. If I were the CEO, I think I will prefer to be called or known to be as an effective and emphatic LEADER than someone who is a "boss" (i.e. bossing around the employees, for example).
Dustin Riedesel
Dustin’s Answer
The truth is both. Leadership is an ineffable quality that even a janitor can possess. A boss is just authority, usually backed by the power to end a person's employment. A boss has enough power to make you do the bare minimum. A leader can inspire you to produce more than you ever thought you could. The best CEOs are all leaders, but even the worst CEO is still a boss.