By definition, a leader leads or commands a group, organization, or country. Meanwhile, a manager is a person responsible for controlling or administering all or part of a company or similar organization.
If you have a team working under your supervision, this is one of the most common topics and can be a tricky role to figure out.
Author Warren Bennis composed a list of the differences as this:
Author Warren Bennis composed a list of the differences as this:
The manager administers; the leader innovates.
The manager is a copy; the leader is an original.
The manager maintains; the leader develops.
The manager focuses on systems and structure; the leader focuses on people.
The manager relies on control; the leader inspires trust.
The manager has a short-range view; the leader has a long-range perspective.
The manager asks how and when; the leader asks what and why.
The manager has his or her eye always on the bottom line; the leader’s eye is on the horizon.
The manager imitates; the leader originates.
The manager accepts the status quo; the leader challenges it.
The manager is the classic good soldier; the leader is his or her own person.
The manager does things right; the leader does the right thing.
Pretty inspiring huh, I agree. Although I have been at the same employer for more than a decade, I am always working to sharpen my skills. I do a lot of reading and training to lead my team at the level they deserve.
Working at maximum efficiency isn't good enough. It might work in the short term but until you invest your time in your team, they won't be around long. What are your employee's personal goals? Does their job today fit in with that? How can you help them reach their goals?
Figure that out and you have the recipe for success.
When things are not going right, more times than not we have people problems. Maybe it was a bad hire. Maybe you hired for your need and not theirs. Or, maybe they had great potential and you didn't invest enough time to develop it. You might have gotten distracted because they seem to be "low maintenance" and don't ask for much help. Trust me, they all need your time but when you only have eight hours a day, you have to choose who deserves your time. They may not "need it" as much as some others on your team but they deserve it based on how they fit in the team. That is how you should choose to spend your time.
Managers think about today. Leaders think about tomorrow.
Are you thinking about next year? You should be. This year is almost over. You either are on track to meet your goals or you're not and there's not much time to make major changes.
Who do you want on your team? Start there and build up. That's the key to success. When they are going the extra mile, are happy and are reaching their personal goals you are doin' it right.
See you at the top! :)
Pretty inspiring huh, I agree. Although I have been at the same employer for more than a decade, I am always working to sharpen my skills. I do a lot of reading and training to lead my team at the level they deserve.
Working at maximum efficiency isn't good enough. It might work in the short term but until you invest your time in your team, they won't be around long. What are your employee's personal goals? Does their job today fit in with that? How can you help them reach their goals?
Figure that out and you have the recipe for success.
When things are not going right, more times than not we have people problems. Maybe it was a bad hire. Maybe you hired for your need and not theirs. Or, maybe they had great potential and you didn't invest enough time to develop it. You might have gotten distracted because they seem to be "low maintenance" and don't ask for much help. Trust me, they all need your time but when you only have eight hours a day, you have to choose who deserves your time. They may not "need it" as much as some others on your team but they deserve it based on how they fit in the team. That is how you should choose to spend your time.
Managers think about today. Leaders think about tomorrow.
Are you thinking about next year? You should be. This year is almost over. You either are on track to meet your goals or you're not and there's not much time to make major changes.
Who do you want on your team? Start there and build up. That's the key to success. When they are going the extra mile, are happy and are reaching their personal goals you are doin' it right.
See you at the top! :)
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