Hello, Friend!
“Alright. You always talk about the power of leadership, but is it more important to be a leader or a boss?”
I’ll share some reflections.
Leadership is crucial, especially in our industry where we face constant challenges. From managing small teams to coordinating large international projects, the ability to lead makes all the difference.
First, we need to understand leadership not just as a set of personal skills or tools, but as the work required to tackle tough challenges. According to Professor Ron Heifetz from Harvard University, a leader needs to be trustworthy, maintain composure, handle conflicts well, and communicate effectively. Additionally, a good leader should use different types of power wisely, including influence, persuasion, inspiration, and authority.
Now, these skills and tools are not exclusive to leadership; they are important in many areas of life. As Ron Heifetz said: “Think of leadership as carpentry: good hands and good tools are useful, but what really defines the craft is the challenges and the work you face.”
Whether building complex software, leading a team on an innovative project, or playing in an esports tournament, it’s the challenges that define the leader’s role.
Many people confuse leadership with a set of skills and tools, and end up losing focus on the real challenges to be faced. True leadership is rooted in the practice of mobilizing and managing people to tackle these challenges.
And here’s the key: our experiences are the best teachers when it comes to leadership. You don’t learn to be a good leader just by reading books, taking courses, or attending lectures. You learn by practicing, dealing with real situations, and reflecting on them. Just like in our field, where you only improve by coding and solving practical problems.
We want to make a difference, whether in the context of a neighborhood, a community, a region, a country, or in global issues like trade, the environment, poverty, and human rights. Throughout history, people have learned through practice and life experience.
Think about your own past experiences. Draw lessons from your own life and consider how you might have acted differently. These lessons will stay with you and be more applicable to your future.
So, when you ask me whether it’s more important to be a leader or a boss, my answer is: being a leader is more important. Because a leader not only guides and inspires but also learns and grows with their team, facing challenges together. And, in the end, the main task of a leader is to create new leaders, empowering their team so that everyone can reach their full potential and make decisions without fear. Your team needs to trust you, and you need to trust them.
See you later, LinkedIn!
Image: Midjourney
Prompt: a fierce woman as a company leader –v 6.0
