Can a 'boss' be a 'leader' Yes!

Books on leadership and management are found by the dozen in bookshelves across the country, but not often we find a book whose author chooses to let others do the talking.

Virender Kapoor's new book on bosses, and what it takes to be a leader, does exactly that. The book has 15 achievers from various fields tell about their experience with their bosses.

How some of them inspired others to become pioneers in their chosen field is extremely insightful.

The book begins with a preface by the author where he talks about why people use the term ‘boss’ and ‘leader’, interchangeably without so much as a thought on the difference between the two. Virender Kapoor busts the notion that the two are one and the same.

A ‘boss’ according to the Oxford dictionary's definition is 'to tell someone what to do in an arrogant or annoying way'. The author in his book tries to explain why people often refer someone as 'he/she is my boss' and not as 'he/she is my leader'.

With this book he explains what it takes to become endearing to employees and transform in to a leader. The book not only lists the traits of an ideal boss, but also explains how the characteristics of an endearing leader can be imbibed in oneself to make them an inspiration for the whole team.

A team member or an employee is not so much bothered about the capability of his boss in terms of leadership, like vision or wisdom. But he is highly affected, directly, by how he behaves with him or his team members'.

‘Boss’ therefore that one man, or woman, becomes the most important person in your life, and is directly responsible for your happiness.

So is this book only for 'bad bosses' I would say ‘Yes’ and ‘no’.

If you feel that there are areas of improvement in your approach to your colleagues and team members, then you can imbibe the good qualities in yourself. If you think you are a good boss, you can still read the book and take inputs to be an even better leader, who'll serve to be a role model. You will also be loved by your team members always, irrespective of whether they continue to work with you or not.

Bosses, as the commonest notion goes, aren't always wrong. However, sometimes, we need to look at things from a different perspective. That helps in understanding what the boss goes through or why he does things in a particular way.

In the book, contributors Ibrahim Ahmad, Vinay Agrawal, Raju Bhatnagar, Anshoo Gaur, Kallol Hazra, Samir Kapoor, Huzaifa Khorakiwala, Amit Malik, Rajat Mathur, Tanaya Mishra, S.V. Nathan, Anu Vishwas Sarkar, Vandana Saxena Poria, Sunil Sinha and N. Vittal recall what they learned from their bosses, not hating them but imbibing their lessons.

At a certain point, we discover that the so-called troublemaker boss acts as a beacon for a directionless enterprise. The problem, as such, lies within us, says the book. It is us who need to see the boss in a different light. Most of the time, we try to judge our bosses on the basis of their behaviour, looks and family background. However, very few of us bother to judge him or her on the basis of his knowledge, achievement and dedication.

Virender Kapoor wanted to address a gap in leadership that has crept in. With this book, he does exactly that. The perspectives of the other contributors reaffirm his objective.

Lucid writing, no unnecessary jargons and a very narrative style make this book for a perfect coffee table companion, or for a light yet insightful reading, anytime.