The Difference Between a Manager and a Leader

I spearhead a lot of interviews and I've heard all sorts of things. Times when people will tell me about how much of a leader they are, all they can do, all the projects they have led.

One of the questions I asked during a recent interview was: “What is the difference between a leader and a manager?”

The person was stuck. And in case you're also wondering what the difference is, I'll explain.

A manager is someone that gets people to do their job.

A leader inspires people.

They overlap.

And instead of simply being a good manager, be the leader who manages well.

Being a leader:

When last did someone leave you and feel inspired?

Have you heard people talking about how their previous boss did this or that, how their previous supervisor did one thing or the other? That's inspiration talking. They're telling you about the people who inspired them.

Would someone say that about you? I know you can get things done, get everyone to do what they ought, but has anyone been inspired by you?

Inspiring people:

Inspiring people is not as far off as you may think. In fact, to begin inspiring people, ask yourself, “How would I want to be treated?”

The difference between robots and humans is that the latter have feelings. A person can make them really happy or really sad. A person can make them feel on top of the world or feel like worthless trash.

How would you want to be treated? How would you want someone to make you feel?

This is not about avoiding feedback or being scared to tell people the truth about their performance. But instead of simply letting them have it, turn it into an inspiring session.

— Someone is not taking ownership of their job? Inspire them to take ownership.

Let them see the task as theirs, not another to-do they must fill out or get into trouble. Let them see how their contribution matters to the overall vision of the business. Let them see how handling those tasks contributes to their growth.

Take appraisals and feedback very seriously. Point out to a staff, “Remember when you started? You weren't this good. But see how much better you've gotten! Well done.”

That staff will walk away inspired. They'll walk away feeling like not just the business but they themselves are growing. And there's no better motivation (a good salary is important, of course) than knowing your efforts are appreciated, and knowing that you're even becoming a better professional, a better person!

That's just an example.

Your assignment is to find the areas where you can inspire.

You have strengths as a person, capabilities as a professional, now you just have to think of ways to inspire the people you lead.

Anyone can manage.

Anyone can tell people what to do, check what they've done, and issue queries. But a leader inspires. Even when they're not there, they keep inspiring you. Even when you leave their organization, their mark stays with you.

I'm here to encourage you to be more than a manager, to be a leader that manages well.

I'll see you next week.

- Nkechi