Let's dive into an intriguing question that often floats around in the world of business...
Are you a manager or a leader? Do you have a team of managers or a team of leaders?
Also, how does this affect business growth?
These terms get tossed around interchangeably, but they mean pretty different things AND have a huge effect on your business.
Understanding this distinction is crucial for unlocking your potential and driving your organization forward.
Ironically, when you look at the bigger picture between managers and leaders, most would say that managers are doing just fine. Tasks get done, business moves on.
But is that really what we want? For business to just “move on?”
Here are four key ways to identify whether you are a manager or a leader and the impact each could be having on your business.
1. Visionary vs. Tactical Focus
Are you a big-picture thinker or detail-oriented executor?
It’s alright to be both, but these traits can also create clear distinctions between someone who is managing and someone who is leading.
Leaders are visionaries who inspire their teams with a clear and compelling vision of the future.
They focus on long-term goals and create a roadmap for success that transcends immediate objectives.
The conversations that leaders have with their teams are more than just the day-to-day. They are big picture discussions that venture outside of just "work talk."
In contrast, managers are tactical, concentrating on the execution of tasks and ensuring that day-to-day operations run smoothly.
According to a survey by Harvard Business Review, organizations with visionary leaders are 115% more likely to outperform their competitors. Sounds like a no-brainer!
Imagine a tech startup aiming to revolutionize the industry. We see many of those right?
A leader would articulate a bold vision, rallying the team around the idea of transforming user experiences with innovative technology. A visionary mindset like that is very much needed!
On the flipside, a manager would ensure that each project milestone is met, budgets are adhered to, and the team stays on track to deliver the vision. Pretty straightforward.
2. Empowerment vs. Control
Are you someone who fosters autonomy or looks to have people complying with your requests?
Leaders empower their teams by fostering autonomy, creativity, and a sense of ownership.
They trust their team members to make decisions and encourage them to take initiative.
It’s a win/win across the board!
Conversely, managers often exert control to ensure compliance with established procedures and standards.
Their focus isn’t on bringing out the best in their employees or leaning on their valued input. They would rather assign the task and make sure it’s done.
Research by Gallup reveals that employees who feel empowered are 4.4 times more likely to be engaged at work and 3.9 times more likely to recommend their company as a great place to work.
While autonomy can look different for companies, empowering your employees may be the answer to not only business growth, but also creating more balance and less stress for managers.
3. Risk-Taking vs. Risk-Aversion
Are you open to taking risks or do you stay on the path that feels more comfortable?
Leaders are not afraid to take calculated risks.
They see risks as opportunities for growth and innovation, encouraging their teams to experiment and challenge the status quo.
Managers, however, tend to prioritize risk mitigation, focusing on stability and predictable outcomes.
From a business standpoint and regarding key decisions, this isn’t necessarily a bad move, but we should be aware when our choice to avoid risk turns to breeding mediocrity.
A study by McKinsey & Company found that companies with leaders who encourage risk-taking are twice as likely to outperform their peers in terms of revenue growth.
Consider a company exploring new markets.
A leader would champion the exploration of emerging markets, even if it involves venturing into uncharted territory. This is how new discoveries are made and skillsets honed.
Someone who is just managing in their role would ensure thorough research and risk assessments are conducted before making any moves, but more often than not, who choose to not take steps forward due to perceived risk and uncertainty.
4. Inspiring vs. Directing
Do you inspire with vision or direct with instructions? This is a key skillset for leaders and coaches out there.
Leaders inspire and motivate their teams through a compelling vision, shared values, and personal example.
They cultivate a sense of purpose and passion, encouraging their team members to achieve greatness.
We often see this in performance coaching. Leaders will ask more questions and inspire individuals to dig within themselves for the answer, rather than simply providing it.
Managers, in contrast, focus on directing and coordinating activities to meet specific objectives. They will “tell” their staff what to do, rather than encourage them to bring forth ideas and answers.
One key strategy and principle I learned from reading What Got You Here Won’t Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith is to always remember to “recommend” and “suggest”, rather than order.
When you are in a leadership position, what you say automatically turns to more of a “direct order” in the eyes of your employees, so encouraging thoughtful discussions and offering suggestions can bring forth more inspiration during conversations.
This allows employees to still have ownership in the idea and final outcome.
According to a survey by Deloitte, organizations with inspiring leaders are 17% more likely to be market leaders in their industry.
In conclusion…
Leaders are visionary, empowering, risk-taking, and inspiring, while managers excel at executing tasks, maintaining control, and ensuring operational efficiency.
Recognizing where you fall on this spectrum can help you leverage your strengths and work more effectively within your organization.
You might be leaning more towards managing and that’s ok! Again, that’s not a bad place to be at all!
By blending the best of both worlds, you can propel your team to new heights and achieve unparalleled success.
You will also begin to see the many benefits of building an empowered and driven team around you!
Embrace your unique strengths, and watch as you and your team reach new levels of excellence.
Comentários