Though manager and leader seem like interchangeable titles, your employees with experience in both can tell you the difference. Both drive employees to success and reach company goals. Both have their own focus and methods. Which role works better for your company is up to you.
Process Oriented vs. Results Oriented
A manager would prefer that everyone followed the tried and true guidelines or processes. If it worked before, it will work again and again. Changing the process could distract everyone and yield less desireable results. Leaders think it is it better that the team achieve the desired results, however they may come. They sponsor innovation in their process and accept ideas from all around.
Organize and Staff vs. Guide and Counsel
Maintaining a certain staff number and filling all the job titles would be a manager’s job. Managers make sure all slots are filled properly so that all the clogs in the company’s inner workings can fit perfectly and continue to function at full capacity. Leaders tend to advocate for their current staff and train them for those job titles. They are more likely to hire from within and promote career growth within their company.
Write memos vs. coach and teach
When managers see something that needs to be corrected, they will often shoot out a memo to their target audience. This type of correction will ideally achieve the desired results with minimal interruption in the day’s activities and productivity. A leader believes that taking the time to retrain can yield positive changes. They believe in the power of coaching individually so that their followers will learn and correct their behaviors on their own.
Structured thinker vs. Strategic thinker
Related to being process and results oriented, there is a difference between thinking structurally versus thinking strategically. Managers love structure. They love guidelines that are easy to follow, and multi step systems that achieve expected results. Leaders, in the spirit of innovation, much rather take strategic risks that can move the company forward to reach desired results. Leaders welcome change in the name of efficiency and will not hesitate to modify their process.
Are you a Manager or a Leader?
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Kimberly Gaspar is a Recruiting Campaigns intern.
