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The Real Difference Between A Boss And A Leader Explained In 8 Illustrations
When beloved T.V boss Michael Scott, from the Office, was asked if he would rather be feared or loved his answer was simple, “Easy. Both. I want people to be afraid of how much they love me.” While Michael was not the brightest boss, he was on to something.
Admiration in the work place should not come from a place of fear. These simple but creative office illustrations show that there is a difference between being a boss and a leader. We don’t all have a negative image when we hear the word boss, but these images might make you re-evaluate your definition. A boss is is dominating over their employees while a leader understands the benefits from pulling up those around them to work as a team.
As Michael Scott would say the word boss used to be used to describe something cool… like shoulder pads, now “boss is just slang for jerk in charge.” Bored Panda has the full cartoons below.
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Image credits: yukbisnis.com
Image credits: yukbisnis.com
Image credits: yukbisnis.com
Image credits: yukbisnis.com
Image credits: yukbisnis.com
Image credits: yukbisnis.com
Image credits: yukbisnis.com
Image credits: yukbisnis.com
People had lots to share about their bosses
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What do you think ?
Nora H. 7 years ago
Bonus info (last picture): "Namaku" = my name, "namaku" = your name. (Malay/Indonesian)
LOttawa 7 years ago
I can related toe very single one of those. We had a boss a really awful boss that enjoyed crushing is employees. He left a while back and we have a leader now. I worked for the leader for about 1.5 years now and I have received 2 awards at work versus none working for the boss for 9.5 years. A happy employee is a motivated and performing employee.
Mangoes'nRum 7 years ago
Sometimes it's not easy being the leader when an employee will only respond to a boss. This is especially true in cases of thick headed morons with incredible job security.
Деница Петрова 7 years ago
Thank you, somebody needed to mention this.Not everybody responds to positive motivation.
Load More Replies... 
Sarah Barker 7 years ago
I once left what could have been a job for life because of horrific management. Since then I've suffered job losses and redundancy but I'll never regret my decision. Better unemployed and looking for a job than going to a torrent of abuse every day.
Miss MonMon 7 years ago
Absolutely. It's better to die on your feet than live on your knees. Don't let any prick abuse you.
Load More Replies...
Trisha Dragon 7 years ago
Uhm, a lot of those comments don't seem to understand that a boss can be a leader. An employee can be a leader as well. I think this is less about "position" more about method. You can boss someone or you can lead someone. Your position is irrelevant. I've been called upon by bosses and management to lead things/people more than once.
FuzzyWuzzy 7 years ago
I've had many boss's and I have been a boss. I never liked the term "boss" tho. I prefer leader. I once had a boss who was so freaking bad tempered that twice he yelled at me and made me cry! He wouldn't even let me defend myself! Needless to say, I quit, right then and there and really left him hanging. I later heard from coworkers that shortly after I left, the company went under. Course it wasn't because I left, but because he didn't know squat about running a business! I call that Karma.
DforDorothy 7 years ago
The above are all true, it is why I quit job after job until I found one that had a leader. I also got promoted, after just 4 months, but I have to say now, it is the toughest to be in the middle between employees and owners and also the employees should be intelligent enough to be able to distinguish the fact that when it's not about work, we are almost friends, but when it's work, we should focus on that first... It is hard, because lots of people mix the two and then blame me for being an ah for not letting them do what they want when the job job is not even half done.
Nini Meow 7 years ago
Thought to find such a boss. And even though to find a boss with antennas.. 🙂
Notsoswift 7 years ago
That's nice but some people don't want to be led and goals still have to be met
Nora H. 7 years ago
Bonus info (last picture): "Namaku" = my name, "namaku" = your name. (Malay/Indonesian)
LOttawa 7 years ago
I can related toe very single one of those. We had a boss a really awful boss that enjoyed crushing is employees. He left a while back and we have a leader now. I worked for the leader for about 1.5 years now and I have received 2 awards at work versus none working for the boss for 9.5 years. A happy employee is a motivated and performing employee.
Mangoes'nRum 7 years ago
Sometimes it's not easy being the leader when an employee will only respond to a boss. This is especially true in cases of thick headed morons with incredible job security.
Деница Петрова 7 years ago
Thank you, somebody needed to mention this.Not everybody responds to positive motivation.
Load More Replies... Sarah Barker 7 years ago
I once left what could have been a job for life because of horrific management. Since then I've suffered job losses and redundancy but I'll never regret my decision. Better unemployed and looking for a job than going to a torrent of abuse every day.
Miss MonMon 7 years ago
Absolutely. It's better to die on your feet than live on your knees. Don't let any prick abuse you.
Load More Replies... Trisha Dragon 7 years ago
Uhm, a lot of those comments don't seem to understand that a boss can be a leader. An employee can be a leader as well. I think this is less about "position" more about method. You can boss someone or you can lead someone. Your position is irrelevant. I've been called upon by bosses and management to lead things/people more than once.
FuzzyWuzzy 7 years ago
I've had many boss's and I have been a boss. I never liked the term "boss" tho. I prefer leader. I once had a boss who was so freaking bad tempered that twice he yelled at me and made me cry! He wouldn't even let me defend myself! Needless to say, I quit, right then and there and really left him hanging. I later heard from coworkers that shortly after I left, the company went under. Course it wasn't because I left, but because he didn't know squat about running a business! I call that Karma.
DforDorothy 7 years ago
The above are all true, it is why I quit job after job until I found one that had a leader. I also got promoted, after just 4 months, but I have to say now, it is the toughest to be in the middle between employees and owners and also the employees should be intelligent enough to be able to distinguish the fact that when it's not about work, we are almost friends, but when it's work, we should focus on that first... It is hard, because lots of people mix the two and then blame me for being an ah for not letting them do what they want when the job job is not even half done.
Nini Meow 7 years ago
Thought to find such a boss. And even though to find a boss with antennas.. 🙂
Notsoswift 7 years ago
That's nice but some people don't want to be led and goals still have to be met
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