Are You a Boss or Leader?

Leaders beget leaders.

Don't overcomplicate it.

• When a manager is about ME, they're your boss.
• When a manager is about WE, they're your leader.

The two titles couldn't be more far apart.

The question that needs to be asked is:

Why do you want to be a manager?

Be honest with your answer.

• The workload may not be worth the raise if it's for money.
• But if it's to develop leaders in the company your heart is in the right place.

It takes more than heart to be a great manager.

Yet, without genuine care for your teammates, skills won't save you.

The best managers are hard not to be described without positive emotions.

Great managers possess leadership skills, but they are secondary to how they make their people feel.

If this type of leadership sounds soft, it's because it is.

Soft as in based upon soft skills.

At the core of leadership development is the desire for others to succeed.

In some instances, it may be at the expense of the leader.

There's nothing better than feeling the internal reward of building other people's confidence.

The impact of seeing the satisfaction of goal achievement is long-lasting.

It starts now if you're concerned about building your legacy as a leader.

How you treat people means more than any amount of knowledge you have.

If this sounds uncomfortable or overwhelming, management is probably not for you.

But if this gets your blood pumping, just thinking about it, whatever skills you currently lack can be taught.

• Be a student of leadership.
• Teach/model what you learn.
• Care about your people as humans before the tasks you hold them accountable for.

Most managers fail because they're in it for personal advancement over people's development.

If that's you, talk to your supervisor about whether it's the right fit.

But if you're a new or aspiring manager, start with the heart of developing others.

It's much easier to teach the skills of being a leader than it is to learn the heart of being one.

Did any of this resonate with you?

If so, leave a comment or message me and let's connect further.