“All coaches can be a boss, but not all bosses can be a coach.”
You’ll notice that there will be a lot comparing and contrasting of the two entities in this post. Though I’ll by showing clear distinctions between the two, please know that I do recognize that leaders have the capability to “switch modes” depending on the situation. There are times when a leader has to play both roles at the same time, leveraging the two different mindsets to their advantage to reach a certain outcome. I also recognize that the notion of a boss and a coach also lies within the context of the subject’s point-of-view.
Boss & Coach Dynamics
Both bosses and coaches can reside within the hierarchy of an organizational structure. A boss is usually someone who is at a higher authority than the one being coached whom they directly or indirectly report under. That relationship is solely based upon the structure of the organization. It’s usually not a relationship that’s done by choice. You will not see someone walking around the building, pointing at an individual saying, “You, I want you to be my boss!” Without the structure of the organization, this relationship will not exist. To be someone’s boss does not require any skill at all. Anyone can be assigned to be a boss.
On the other hand, coaches suspend the structure of the organization. They come together as equals—partnering for the common goal of elevating the one being coached to another level. Coaches are usually chosen by individuals because of their reputation, their skills, and their background. Coaches are not assigned. Becoming a coach requires permission from the subject to submit to the partnership.
The Different Mindsets of a Boss and a Coach
Outside of the obvious titles and designations that qualifies someone to be a boss or a coach, we can also isolate the two by different mindsets. There are slight differences between the two mindsets—making it hard for many folks to recognize the separation. These subtle degrees of separation determine the dynamics of the boss/coach-to-subject relationship. Below are side-by-side descriptions separating the two mindsets.
Let’s do some “Crowd Sourcing!”
What other differences to you see between a boss and a coach? Please do share your thoughts on the comments below. I’d like to add your thoughts to the list above. Thanks in advance!