Be a Leader not a Boss

There is a big difference between being a boss and being a leader. Many people think they are the same thing, but this is not true. A boss demands obedience and expects their employees to do what they are told without question. Leaders inspire their employees and encourage them to be creative and innovative. They empower their team members to make decisions and take ownership of their work. So, which one are you? If you want to succeed in business, you need to be a leader, not a boss.

Leaders Influence, Bosses Command

A boss will give orders and expect them to be carried out. They may indeed inspire their employees when they first start, but after a bit of time, they often become bossy and treat their team like children. You might find that when you are managing someone, it is hard not to act like the parent telling the child what to do. It can also be easy to assume that your employees know what you want them to do and become angry when they don’t meet your expectations. Leaders inspire their team members by asking questions and getting them involved in decision-making.

Leaders Nurture, Bosses Punish

A boss will often see mistakes as a threat and punish their employees for making them. They will also expect their team to carry out tasks without any questions. When something does go wrong, it is always the employee’s fault and never the boss’s fault. Leaders know that mistakes are an essential part of learning and growth. They see obstacles as challenges and look for ways around them rather than creating a hostile environment.

Leaders Inspire, Bosses Explain

A boss will do all of the talking in meetings and ask their employees for input when they feel like it. They may or may not delegate tasks to their team, but when they do, they expect them to be carried out precisely as they have been asked. Leaders inspire their teams by giving them a voice in meetings and encouraging them to develop new ideas. When they delegate tasks, they give their team members the freedom to do them in a way that works best for them.

Leaders Delegate Authority, Bosses Delegate Tasks

A boss will expect their employees to carry out tasks that they have been assigned to them without any questions. They may or may not give their team members the authority to make decisions, but it is often restricted to particular circumstances only when they do. Leaders know that delegating authority is as essential as delegating tasks. It is vital for your team members to feel trusted and inspired.

About Wale Seriki

Wale Seriki is an international businessman and leader based in Lagos, Nigeria. The son of a prominent Nigerian political leader, Wale was raised to put the needs of others before his own. From early on, he understood that leaders work for their people—not the other way around.

In his current position as Primary Distributor for BioNeat’s West Africa division, he is able to fulfill his lifelong goal to give back to and provide for his community.

As an APC party member, Wale has a deep sense of pride in his home and had been searching for ways to positively impact its culture and wellbeing. For years, Wale Seriki worked as a stock broker for Raike Financial and Harrison Securities and, for a time, as a mortgage broker. Though he was successful and enjoyed helping his clients, when an opportunity to help his home of Nigeria presented itself Wale took it.

When Wale was introduced to the Vice President of BioNeat, he found his chance to make his dream a reality. BioNeat, a biological agricultural company, produces industry-leading and sustainable products such as fertilizers and adjuvants. When Wale was introduced to the company, they had been looking to expand into West Africa but kept running into problems getting the project off the ground. In need of government contacts, BioNeat was unable to bring their business to the region. Seeing their predicament as his opportunity to reconnect with his home, Wale offered up his help.

For more information on Wale Seriki, be sure to visit his blog!