Are you a "Leader" or a "Manager

Many years I juggled to make a real difference between the word "Leader" and a "Manager". In general people use the words "leader" and "manager" in an interchangeable fashion which is incorrect. After working for many years with numerous managers in the role of a leader, I finally understood the difference. Without mincing my words but carefully treading; not all of them were true leaders. Yes they were brilliant managers whom I look upon but leaders among them were a few.

I quote below from Warren Bennis’s book “On Becoming a Leader”

• 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.

To reiterate the above by an example, sitting in a top position and enforcing rules and procedures to be followed by the staff, does not necessarily make one a leader. An individual in a Manager’s role does exactly the same thing; hence calling him or her a leader due to the position they occupy may not necessarily be true. A “leader” has those extra characteristics which shown’ s through.

 Published in Forbes Nov 15, 2016 @ 08:14 AM “9 Differences between Being a Leader and a Manager”

• Leaders are change agents, managers maintain the status quo.
• Leaders are unique, manager’s copy.
• Leaders take risks, managers control risk.
• Leaders are in it for the long haul, managers think short-term.
• Leaders grow personally, managers rely on existing, proven skills.
• Leaders build relationships, managers build systems and processes.
• Leaders coach, managers direct.
• Leaders create fans and followers, managers have employees.

People follow leaders whereas managers have people who work for them. Every organization needs leaders and managers to perform together as a team to towards success.

So far from my real time experience, I noticed individuals performing important functions of management such as planning, organizing, executing and controlling and they all were great at their work but I will call them managers.

On the other hand I worked with many individuals performing important functions of management such as communication, motivation, providing inspiration, guidance, encouraging employees for a higher level of productivity and they all were true leaders whom I followed and will continue to do so.

I have come across a few  pointers on becoming a leader rather than just a manager.

Listening is a key essential, and it’s rewarding to become a good listener. Direction, determination and action are the key. Although one can seek consensus in decision, a more democratic approach while retaining the accountability. Celebrate successes, even the small ones. Acknowledge and being aware of the errors made. More importantly learning from those errors (mistakes). When time demands stand firm and deliver decisive messages.

To end this with, A great quote from Peter F. Drucker “A Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.”