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How to Make the Leap From Being a Boss to Being a Leader, Explained in One Handy Chart

Updated 6/19/2020
How to Make the Leap From Being a Boss to Being a Leader, Explained in One Handy Chart
Being a leader instead of a boss can help you and your team be better off in the long run.

So, you just got a promotion and now have a fancy new title. Or, you didn’t get the big promotion (yet), but your boss just asked you to manage the new interns.

But did you know there’s a big difference between being a boss and being a leader? For example, are you standing over your colleague making sure he isn’t messing up that spreadsheet you sent over? Or, are you sending over the assignment and making yourself available for any questions that may arise?

Whether you’re new to management or you’ve been in the role for a few years, you should check out this infographic to see where your leadership style lands. And, if you find yourself checking off more boxes on the left, try changing things up a bit. After all, you want to be the person your subordinates talk about fondly during happy hour—not the person who gets referred to in stories as, “Ugh, my boss…”


Infographic courtesy of Wrike. Photo of hiker courtesy of Shutterstock.

Photo of Kaitlyn Russell
A UNC-Wilmington grad born and raised in North Carolina, Kaitlyn always knew she would end up in NYC to pursue writing. As a summer editorial intern, she contributes career advice to The Muse. In addition, she also writes for other publications, such as USA TODAY College, Her Campus, and The Huffington Post. You can find her searching the city for the best eats, binge-watching Netflix, or catching up with friends at dinner. Say hi on Twitter @KaitlynRussell_
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