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3 Big Differences Between a Manager and a Leader
Are you creating value, or just tracking value?
Do you work for a manager or a leader? And if you have a team under your care, are you their manager or a leader?
These two questions apply to both the world of entrepreneurship and the arena of corporate America. Here are the three dimensions that I’ve come to observe, each with deeper and broader sub-implications.
Doing things right vs. doing the right thing
Is there a difference? Absolutely. A manager is preoccupied with making sure rules are followed correctly and work is done accurately. That weekly business report? Better get it in on time and with the precise title, formatting, and metrics, or there will be blood. Be prepared to have answers in your back pocket for when higher-ups pop a question or two.
Managers don’t want to make waves, so they want to ensure existing processes are respected. This isn’t to say managers are wrong; it’s merely to state that managers are typically risk averse. Managers manage you the way they want to please their superiors — that is, by following directions so no surprises (good or bad) pop up. Doing things right is another way of saying “minimize risk.” And while that’s not necessarily a bad quality, it certainly…
