Shawnee Love   •  
February 7, 2013

While the two aren’t necessarily mutually exclusive, it takes different talents and attitudes to be a leader vs. a manager.

Leaders have a dream which they are pursuing and the ability to share and inspire others to want to achieve the same dream. They communicate and also listen well and have big enough shoulders to not only make decisions but also take responsibility for their decisions. Leaders believe in themselves, but also know that they have a greater likelihood of reaching their dreams if they focus on what only they can do. Leaders find great people who have complementary skills and experiences to do what they can’t. Leaders care. Leaders innovate. Leaders learn. Leaders strategize. I also think leaders should be ethical, and at the same time shouldn’t be hemmed in by the status quo.  Leaders look at the stars and chart the course.

Managers get things done within the available resources.  They achieve the goals set by their bosses by setting goals for their employees and holding their employees accountable, clearing obstacles, coaching, encouraging, and having their employees’ backs.  Managers must be organized, consistent, and trustworthy, as well as part counselor, part troubleshooter, and part cheerleader.  Managers must delegate, they must also care, and although styles may vary, generally, the most successful managers are good at assessing the strengths and weaknesses of their employees and structuring work and goals to showcase their employee’s individual strengths.  Managers ensure the ship stays on course and reaches its destination intact.

Leaders and Managers are both critical to an organization’s success.  It is up to each of us to figure out which role we fill or are best suited for and then be the best at it that we can be.