When it comes to leadership, the terms manager and leader are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same thing. A manager is responsible for maintaining the status quo and ensuring that tasks are completed on time and within budget. A leader, on the other hand, is focused on creating a vision and inspiring others to work towards a common goal. In this blog post, we will be discussing the key differences between a manager and a leader, and providing five ways to identify which one you are.
A leader focuses on the future and long-term goals, while a manager focuses on the present and the immediate needs of the organization.
A leader is focused on driving change and innovation, while a manager is responsible for maintaining the status quo.
A leader is focused on inspiring and motivating others, while a manager is focused on completing tasks.
A leader’s primary role is to inspire and guide, while a manager’s primary role is to oversee and direct.
A leader’s primary concern is with building a better system, while a manager’s primary concern is with maintaining the current one.
A leader tends to challenge the status quo and think outside the box, while a manager tends to operate within set boundaries and established systems.
A leader’s primary focus is on the long-term vision and mission of the organization, while a manager’s primary focus is on achieving short-term goals and objectives.
A leader prioritizes empowering and developing others, while a manager tends to prioritize maintaining control.
A leader focuses on driving growth and progress, while a manager typically focuses on maintaining stability.
A leader often makes decisions based on intuition and vision, while a manager tends to make decisions based on facts and data.
In summary, a manager is more operationally focused, ensuring the work is getting done, making sure that the processes are working and making sure that the team are following the rules and standards, While a leader is more visionary and focused on direction, strategy and inspiring the team to work towards a shared vision.
Lead From Within: Being aware of the differences between a manager and leader and identifying which one you are, allows you to better understand your strengths and weaknesses.
#1 N A T I O N A L B E S T S E L L E R
The Leadership Gap
What Gets Between You and Your Greatness
After decades of coaching powerful executives around the world, Lolly Daskal has observed that leaders rise to their positions relying on a specific set of values and traits. But in time, every executive reaches a point when their performance suffers and failure persists. Very few understand why or how to prevent it.
Additional Reading you might enjoy:
- 12 Successful Leadership Principles That Never Grow Old
- A Leadership Manifesto: A Guide To Greatness
- How to Succeed as A New Leader
- 12 of The Most Common Lies Leaders Tell Themselves
- 4 Proven Reasons Why Intuitive Leaders Make Great Leaders
- The One Quality Every Leader Needs To Succeed
- The Deception Trap of Leadership
Of Lolly’s many awards and accolades, Lolly was designated a Top-50 Leadership and Management Expert by Inc. magazine. Huffington Post honored Lolly with the title of The Most Inspiring Woman in the World. Her writing has appeared in HBR, Inc.com, Fast Company (Ask The Expert), Huffington Post, and Psychology Today, and others. Her newest book, The Leadership Gap: What Gets Between You and Your Greatness has become a national bestseller.