By now, you’ve probably seen one of the myriad iterations of a ubiquitous Facebook posting on the differences between being a boss and being a leader. Depending on the version, it goes something like this: “The boss depends upon authority; the leader depends upon good will. The boss inspires fear; the leader inspires enthusiasm. The boss assigns tasks; the leader sets the pace. The boss uses people; the leader develops people. The boss fixes the blame for the breakdown; the leader fixes the breakdown. The boss says ‘I’; the leader says ‘We.’ The world needs leaders; nobody needs a boss.” The 14 individuals profiled for this issue’s cover story on our county’s “Great Leaders” (page 53) personify these affirmative traits—and a whole lot more. Whether one helms an art museum, a bank, or a college, there are certain qualities and skills they share that are applicable to the exceptional leadership of any staff.
Of course, sometimes your “staff” consists of just one other person—and for some Westchester entrepreneurs, that other person is their spouse. What’s it like to live and work—and spend nearly every waking moment—with the same person? Our “Married to the Job” couples tell us in witty and insightful detail (page 75).
Whether your business employs a staff of two or 200, successful marketing strategies are crucial to surviving and thriving—especially in this economy. On page 72, we present a marketing primer that reviews everything you need to know and consider when plotting your company’s next marketing initiatives.
As I write this, we are entering our umpteenth day of 90+ degree heat and humidity. In my book, the only thing good about that is the increased relevance it gives our story on ways to enjoy the outdoors without broiling in the sun (page 116). Whether your idea of summer fun is catching a Yankees game or something more avant-garde (like foraging for a meal in the woods), we show you several smart and savvy ways to beat the heat without turning your back on Mother Nature.
In the meantime, to borrow (sort of) a phrase coined by great leadership on the other side of the pond: Keep cool and carry on.
Robert Schork
Executive Editor
