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Steps on rating yourself as a boss are presented, including, 1. attitude, 2. vision, 3. sharing your vision, 4. hiring for growth, 5. corporate evolution, 6. establishing relationships, and 7. being a catalyst for action.

A boss is ... well, a boss! And in the words of Chinese philosopher Lao-Tzu (604-531 B.C.) - a visionary who -"Gets things done with very little motion. He imparts instruction not through so many words but through a few deeds. He keeps informed about everything but interferes hardly at all. He is a catalyst and though things would not get done as well if he weren't there, when they succeed he takes no credit. And because he takes no credit, credit never leaves him."

Who are you?

Rate yourself:

On Attitude:

* "The boss drives his men; the leader coaches them.

* The boss depends upon authority; the leader on goodwill.

* The boss inspires fear; the leader inspires enthusiasm.

* The boss says: T; the leader says 'WE.'

* The boss says: 'Get here on time'; the leader gets there ahead of time.

* The boss fixes the blame for the breakdown; the leader fixes the breakdown.

* The boss knows how it's done; the leader shows how.

* The boss says 'GO'; the leader says 'LET'S GO.'

(H. Gordon Selfridge, Founder, Seifridge's Department Store, London, England.)

By thinking with staff, not for them; by empathizing with them, not becoming emotionally involved; by moving with colleagues, not rushing ahead or dawdling behind; by working with staff, not doing things for them; by accepting them as they are, not judging and criticizing them; and by seeing from the other point of view, not merely from their own, leaders grow, their staff grows, their organization grows.

On Vision:

* Bosses maintain a shortterm, task-oriented perspective - getting today's job done today, getting tomorrow's job done tomorrow.

* Leaders see both the short-term and the long-term. They look at "the job" in terms of its relation to their company's goals. They maintain a clear executable vision of their company in two years time - in five years time. Who are you?

On Sharing Their Vision:

* Bosses hold onto their vision tightly, not spreading it around. They feel corporate vision is of little concern to staff.

* Leaders share their vision eagerly so staff will believe in it and work toward it. They know by including staff, they liberate their staff's strengths and talents. They encourage staff to dream the common dream, to envision the common vision. Who are you?

On Hiring For Growth:

* Bosses fear competition. Because they fear those smarter than themselves, they hire staff who pose no threat. Their tactics result in diminished brain power - in a diminished organization.

* Leaders hire "the best," "the smartest," to ensure their organization will prosper. They realize by surrounding themselves with bright lights they will become an organization of giants rather than a company of dwarfs. Leaders understand as their company grows, they too grow. Who are you?

On Corporate Evolution:

* Bosses are rigid. Their credo remains "this is the way its always been." They don't see the enormous waves of change engulf them until it's too late.

* Leaders recognize they are part of an evolving global marketplace. They live and breath flexibility - changing, evolving, advancing. They are always adding new products, new services, new niches, new skills. They are always subtracting dead wood, the counter productive procedures, the nonproductive staff. Who are you?

On Establishing Relationships:

* Bosses attempt to form friendships on the power of their position. But their staff fear them and resent their intrusions.

* Leaders, although interested in their staff, realize their position precludes them from being friends and they conduct themselves accordingly. They act as mentor, as coach and guide. They gift their staff - not small gifts, like ball game tickets or a free lunch - but big gifts. Like opportunity, space to develop, exhilarating challenges, purpose to their work, trust, recognition and empowerment. Who are you?

On Being A Catalyst For Action:

* Bosses simply don't catalyze anyone. They direct and by their thumbs-on approach, immobilize independent action.

* Leaders spread light. They manage more by managing less. By encouraging everyone to discover, take risks, innovate and move forward, the entire organization benefits.

Who are you? Boss or leader? After all is said and done, we must look at ourselves in the mirror every morning, see in that reflection who we are, who we want to become and work all day toward achieving that learning, stretching and becoming.

Take a look...who are you?