The words ‘Manager and Leader’ seems to be interchangeable in many people’s minds, but there is a specific distinction.  The role of Manager has a large element of existing quantifiable components (procedures, measures, policies, etc.), and  these skills can be learned through existing structures and don’t necessarily take into account a major variable – people.  A person can be a great Manager without good people skills, and this can create problems because people are looking for and expecting more in our modern organisations.  Leadership skills address that additional complexity of engaging with people to create a meaningful relationship.  In other words “Management is what you’re doing, leadership is who you’re being”.  How can you identify the qualities of a good manager, who is not necessarily a good leader?  This involves observing specific behaviours and characteristics.

Here are seven ways to discern this distinction:

  1. Focus on Tasks Over Vision:

    • Manager: Excels at ensuring tasks are completed on time and within budget, focusing on immediate goals and operational details.
    • Leader: Inspires and motivates the team with a vision for the future, looking beyond the immediate tasks.

  2. Maintains Status Quo:

    • Manager: Prefers to follow established procedures and avoid disruptions, ensuring the smooth running of day-to-day operations.
    • Leader: Seeks to innovate and drive change, encouraging new ideas and ways of doing things.

  3. Relies on Control and Authority:

    • Manager: Utilizes their position of authority to direct and control the team, ensuring compliance with rules and policies.
    • Leader: Builds influence through trust and respect, encouraging voluntary buy-in from team members.

  4. Detail-Oriented:

    • Manager: Pays close attention to details, ensuring every aspect of a project is meticulously planned and executed.
    • Leader: Focuses more on the big picture, sometimes overlooking minor details to concentrate on broader goals and outcomes.

  5. Prioritizes Efficiency Over Innovation:

    • Manager: Emphasizes efficiency and optimization of existing processes to meet targets and deadlines.
    • Leader: Encourages creative thinking and innovation, even if it means taking risks and potentially facing failures.

  6. Short-Term Focus:

    • Manager: Concentrates on short-term objectives and the immediate needs of the team or organization.
    • Leader: Focuses on long-term goals and the overall direction of the team or organization, planning for future growth and development.

  7. Transactional Relationships:

    • Manager: Engages in transactional relationships with team members, where interactions are often based on tasks, rewards, and penalties.
    • Leader: Builds transformational relationships, fostering personal growth and development of team members, and inspiring them to achieve their full potential.

 

By recognizing these differences, you can better understand the unique strengths of your supervisor and how they may excel as a manager but might need development to become an effective leader.