Are you a boss or a leader? Is there a time to be a little of both?

2016-03-02T17:39:12-05:00

Which one are you? Is there a time to be a little of both?

Response by SSG Audwin Scott made Mar 2 at 2016 5:42 PM

2016-03-02T17:42:16-05:00

I would like to think I am a leader.

Response by Sgt Tammy Wallace made Mar 2 at 2016 5:47 PM

2016-03-02T17:47:45-05:00

I'm a bossy leader :) no, but seriously, I'd like to think I resonate more with being a leader than a boss. The Marine Corps taught me well on how to be a leader. :)

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Mar 2 at 2016 6:18 PM

2016-03-02T18:18:21-05:00

A leader takes responsibility for subordinates failures. A boss blames subordinates for his or her failures.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Mar 2 at 2016 8:02 PM

2016-03-02T20:02:53-05:00

I don't see why one can't be boss, but become a leader if the events warrant it.

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2016 8:38 PM

2016-03-02T20:38:09-05:00

I am proud to be a leader. Taught by great leaders coming up through the years/ranks, still learning every day from other great leaders, and teaching others to be great leaders. It is all cyclical. :)

Response by TSgt David Holman made Mar 2 at 2016 9:50 PM

2016-03-02T21:50:19-05:00

I think this comes down to the old "manager vs. leader" argument, and honestly, you have to have a little of both. You have to be willing to put your people first, you have to develop them, but you also have to be willing to step up at times and say "it has to be this way". I've never met a good leader who wasn't also an effective manager, though I have seen managers who couldn't lead. You have to have a mix.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2016 10:08 PM

2016-03-02T22:08:14-05:00

Everyone can be a leader. A leader isn't always the person on top. A leader doesn't always make the popular decision but the leader makes the right decision.

Response by SGT Brent Cann made Mar 3 at 2016 6:48 AM

2016-03-03T06:48:17-05:00

The "situation" would dictate your approach and every situation is different. "Dynamic Leadership" is the Answer. Or today's buzz word of "Agile Leadership".

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 3 at 2016 8:07 AM

2016-03-03T08:07:20-05:00

I've always thought of "Boss" as job-description...but "Leader" as a personality. Maybe the best "bosses" are leaders, or maybe the best leaders "should" be the bosses.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 3 at 2016 1:02 PM

2016-03-03T13:02:10-05:00

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 3 at 2016 7:42 PM

2016-03-03T19:42:47-05:00

I think you can be both, A leader is someone who leads by example and SHOWS soldiers what the standard it, not just telling them. A boss would be someone who tells them what the standard is. I believe to a certain extent it also depends on where you fall at rank/job wise. A COL or LTC is a boss. he tells his battalion and company commanders respectively what needs to happen and what the standard is, but that person should also be a leader by leading by example on what those standards are. While those at a company level should be more of a leader then a boss. At that level you are the one molding and training your soldiers everyone from the team leader to the company commander.

Response by CSM Kent Keppel made Feb 19 at 2018 6:24 PM

2018-02-19T18:24:31-05:00

CSM Kent Keppel - A GOOD Leader must focus on the success of the team - the mission. Not always easy but the constant goal. People First - Mission Always!

Response by CW3 Jeff Held made Feb 19 at 2018 6:40 PM

2018-02-19T18:40:13-05:00

I was never a boss although I could have rightfully been accused of being ‘bossy’.

Leader all the way. And I took advantage of every opportunity to give leadership responsibilities to everyone -E1 and up.