Are you a manager or a leader? Let me tell you something – they are not one and the same! Despite popular belief, managers and leaders are quite different. This question may seem simple, but the answer can reveal a lot about your approach to both your personal and professional life. While both roles involve overseeing employees and making important decisions, there are significant differences between the two.

In this blog post, I’m going to talk about the qualities that make a manager or a leader, as well as the struggles that many managers face and freedoms that leaders enjoy. So, buckle up, grab a cup of coffee, and let’s delve deeper into the world of management and leadership.

First things first – let’s define what makes a manager and a leader different. A manager is someone who focuses on day-to-day operations, ensuring that tasks are accomplished, and goals are met. In other words, they are inwardly focused, with an emphasis on accomplishing their own personal goals of creating organizational efficiency. On the other hand, a leader is someone who inspires and motivates their team, leading them towards a shared vision. They look beyond simply meeting goals and are outwardly focused, with an emphasis on the big picture and long-term success and inspire and motivate their team to achieve their full potential.

One of the main differences between managers and leaders is also in the way they react to struggles. A manager may struggle with internal issues, again making them more inwardly focused. One common struggle is negativity, whether it’s negativity from team members or from within themselves. This can lead to a lack of motivation and a pessimistic attitude towards work. Another struggle is the inner critic, that little voice in your head that tells you that you’re not good enough. Imposter syndrome is also a common struggle, where managers feel like they are not qualified or competent enough to be in their position. Lack of time management skills can lead to overwhelming feelings, making it difficult to get everything done. The list of management struggles goes on and on!

A leader, on the other hand, has learned to manage these internal struggles and is therefore able to be more outwardly focused, and uses their experiences to empathize with and motivate their team. Leaders enjoy many freedoms from learning to manage, master, and release these internal and external struggles. Effective prioritization is one such freedom, where leaders are able to focus on what’s important and delegate tasks accordingly. They know their purpose and are intentional with their actions, leading to a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction. Leaders also have the freedom to think long-term, focusing on the bigger picture rather than the day-to-day operations.

Effective prioritization is another key difference. While a manager may focus on tasks that need to be done typically focusing on the short-term, a leader knows how to prioritize tasks that will contribute to the overall success of the team and the company for the long-term. They have a clear vision of their purpose, and every decision is made with that vision in mind.

Leaders also know how to be intentional in their actions. They understand that every decision they make has a ripple effect on their team and the company as a whole. They take the time to analyze the impact of their decisions and communicate their reasoning to their team to foster trust and confidence.

Finally, there’s the matter of ego versus spirit. While managers may be bogged down by their egos, a leader has learned to put the needs of the team and the company above their own. They know how to listen and collaborate with those around them, encouraging open dialogue and diverse perspectives.