Mikolaj’s Monday Maunder-Are you a boss or a leader?

Inspiration and lessons for your leadership journey!

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“A boss creates fear, a leader confidence.
A boss fixes blame, a leader corrects mistakes.
A boss knows all, a leader asks questions.
A boss makes work drudgery, a leader makes it interesting.
A boss is interested in himself or herself, a leader is interested in the group.”
~ Russell H. Ewing ~

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Tomorrow is National Boss’ Day.  You’ve got a boss and you are a boss.  Here’s a wake-up call for all the bosses out there.  A 2007 Florida State University study published in Leadership Quarterly revealed:

Since then, they have released the 2011 Employee Engagement Report, that while offering new information like more employees are looking for work outside of their current company, the disengagement numbers didn’t improve all that dramatically.

A 2009 article published in the British Journal of Management drew the conclusion that destructive leadership is common and most people will experience it during their working lives.

Studies like these have popularized the saying: People don't quit jobs, they quit bad bosses.

Kind of makes you wonder why we even have a National Boss’ Day.  One reason may be that the woman who created Boss’ Day worked for her father at his Illinois insurance company back in the late 1950s and 1960s.

While there are a lot of great bosses and leaders out there, many of us still have a long way to go.  In A Travel Guide to Leadership, I call for a new type of leader – the New Millennial Leader – and I show you how to start that journey and get it going.  This Boss’ Day, spend some time reflecting on your leadership style and your team.  Is that cute Boss’ Day card, gift, or lunch simply performed out of obligation or did you really earn it?  Are you just a ‘boss’ or are you truly a leader?

40% of employees report working for a lousy or abusive boss.  
39% of employees reported that their supervisor failed to keep promises.
27% noted that their supervisor made negative comments about them to other employees or managers.
24% reported that their supervisor invaded their privacy.
23% indicated that their supervisor blames others to cover up their own mistakes or to minimize embarrassment.

A 2008 BlessingWhite report discloses some dismal numbers on employee engagement in North America:

Over 70% of workers are disengaged at some level.
Nearly 20% are fully disengaged.
13% are what they define as “Crash and Burners.” 
This is particularly disturbing because this group of employees represents disillusioned, exhausted, top producers.  They can be bitterly vocal about leaders’ bad decisions or other colleagues and can bring others around them down.
Estimated cost to US companies:  $292-$350 Billion!

Today's Affirmations
(Repeat these quietly to yourself multiple times throughout the day.)

I pursue honest feedback about my leadership style and skills.

I spend focused, quality, and regular time with each of my team members.

I encourage honesty and authentic relationships within my team.

I take time on a consistent basis to reflect on my leadership style and skills!

I am a loving leader!

Have an amazing journey today!

Alan