Here's how you can distinguish between a manager and a leader.

Managers control a group of people in order to achieve set objectives, they want team members to be followers , take and obey instructions and leaders have the ability to influence , motivate and enable others to contribute to the bigger vision of the organization. Managers typically are task oriented versus leaders who are people oriented, inspirational and are visionaries. A manager uses a command structure and leaders shows empathy towards their team members, they listen to empower others and never pushes their power around their team members. Managers use a push approach and leaders use a pull approach. Leaders create big ideas that are sustainable and managers simply execute those ideas.

Leaders curve the vision and they ensure that they create teams to execute. Managers are robotic whilst leaders show the way and allow for creativity and innovation. Leaders raise leaders. Managers raise subordinates and followers.

Distinguishing between a manager and a leader is like telling the difference between a clock and a compass. A manager focuses on tasks, ensuring things get done efficiently, like a clock keeping time. Meanwhile, a leader inspires and guides, acting more like a compass, setting direction and motivating others to follow. Managers administer while leaders innovate. Managers rely on authority; leaders earn respect through influence. Ultimately, while managers maintain stability, leaders drive change and foster growth. It's not about one being better than the other but recognizing how their roles complement each other in achieving organizational success.

While both managers and leaders are crucial for success, they approach their roles differently. Managers excel at getting things done – they organize, delegate, and ensure smooth operations. Leaders, on the other hand, inspire and motivate. They cast a vision, navigate change, and empower their team to achieve extraordinary things. A good analogy is that managers are like skilled conductors, keeping the orchestra in perfect time, while leaders are the composers, crafting the beautiful music itself.

From my experience, a leader crafts a long-term vision that guides the organization toward a brighter future, unifying the team. Conversely, a manager focuses on short-term goals, aligning with the company's current needs and practical steps for immediate achievements.

A manager typically focuses on maintaining processes, ensuring tasks are completed, and managing resources efficiently. They emphasize structure, adherence to rules, and meeting short-term goals. In contrast, a leader inspires and motivates others, setting a vision for the future and encouraging innovation. Leaders focus on long-term objectives, fostering a positive team culture, and empowering individuals to reach their potential. While managers manage systems and daily operations, leaders drive change and growth by inspiring their teams. Effective leaders often possess managerial skills, but their emphasis on vision, influence, and people distinguishes them from managers.

Key word they're not just managing people they're leading them. Leadership looks beyond the person & the task at hand. The leader makes other considerations other than set parameters in order to make decisions and to channel the team towards success. Innovation and creativity being one of the most critical skills for effective modern leadership. Whilst managers are concerned about operations and business processes. Leaders concern themselves about the holistic approach to the entire project including the wellbeing and welfare of those involved

The distinction between influence in managers and leaders underscores their different approaches to leadership dynamics. Managers wield authority inherent in their position, compelling their teams to follow out of obligation. In contrast, leaders cultivate influence through trust and respect, fostering a following driven by genuine commitment and admiration. This difference profoundly impacts their leadership styles: while managers may rely on directives and control, leaders engage in persuasion and inspiration. By earning influence rather than enforcing authority, leaders often cultivate a more motivated and dedicated team, poised for collaborative success and sustained growth.

Skills development, creativity and innovation is what leaders scout for. They unearth raw talent and equip, rehabilitate and redeploy whereas managers would simply promote, demote or remove.... Leaders know when there's potential. But also know if it is not worth the investment and time. The decision is based usually on the greater good than immediate pressures to make changes

Empowerment, developing, coaching, mentoring, empathetic and growth mindset- a leader. Micromanaging, hardly giving feedback, lack of psychological safety, low commitment, poor performance, low employee morale and toxic culture or environment- a manager.

A lot of it is just their "presence"...leaders have a way of inspiring while managers execute. In my journey of 3 decades, true leaders focus on the "how" as much as they do on the "what"

These two words speak for themselves Leaders - They lead Managers - They manage As Brian Tracy puts it, Managers concentrate on the objective Leaders focus on how the goal is achieved and about the people involved in it A successful business requires its responsible individual to know when to be a leader or to be a manager.

A leader inspires and motivates through charisma, passion, and a clear vision, empowering others and fostering innovation in a collaborative environment. In contrast, a manager focuses on control, overseeing operations, organizing resources, and ensuring adherence to policies to achieve set objectives efficiently.