Manager vs. Leader — What’s the Difference?
As driven business people, many of us are climbing our way to leadership positions in one way or another.
Along the journey, have you ever heard the terms “manager” and “leader used interchangeably?
It’s a common misconception that they’re one in the same. To further complicate the discussion, let’s consider the fact that you can be both a manager and a leader, or one or the other. It’s easy to see why, at first glance, the two are often confused for one another.
But at their very core, leaders and managers are two distinct entities who play very different roles in an organization. Peel back the layers and you’ll see the fallacy crumble.
So how can you identify who’s who?
There are many differences that set apart a leader from a manager. Here are a few:
Key differences between managers and leaders
One is a title — the other is a choice. “Manager” is a title, while being a leader is a choice. That’s because leadership isn’t about what you do but how you inspire others around you to pursue a vision. As a leader, your number one mission is to cultivate a vision and empower your employees to unite around a common goal. Being a manager, on the other hand, is more about keeping the whole team accountable for completing tasks aligned with that vision.
