Within the daily activity there exists, or at least should, a tendency to continuous improvement. This process should constantly bring us new values to spend on our work and our staff. But how can we understand if we have made the leap from manager to leader?
It is not a question with an easy answer but it is possible to try to attribute what are the activities that a leader normally does, to understand if we are acting as such or if our way of acting is closer to a manager.
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ToggleA manager usually manages the value and skills of the personnel under his responsibility. Some managers find themselves effectively taking away the action of their employees by distracting them from their duties. If a worker cutting diamonds is interrupted every 15 minutes to draw up a report on the quality of the cut, how many stones can he cut in a day’s work? With this method, the manager is subtracting value to those who could actually add it.
On the contrary, a leader is focused on creating value, stimulating mutual collaboration between collaborators at all operational levels of his structure. The more he will be able to generate value; consequently his collaborators will generate it in turn. The example and inspiration of others is the sign that distinguishes action-based leadership.
Being able to influence collaborators in order to inspire them to follow and believe in your project is essential qualities of a leader.
Just think that a manager has subordinates to deal with while a leader has “supporters”. This is given by two different ways of managing the working environment, that of the managers is based on “power circles” while that of the leaders is based on “circles of influence”
If you are either a leader or a manager you can understand it yourself thinking about how many people in your staff refer to you by hierarchy and how many for a comparison or advice. The more they are for the second reason, the more it means that you are perceived as a leader.
Management is, briefly, the control of a work group to achieve a defined objective. Leadership refers to work smarter not harder and the abilities of individuals inherent in the motivation, inspiration and influence of the staff, which enable others to contribute to the success of the work organization.
Penetrate to the charismatic leaders who in history have been able to influence millions of people simply by setting themselves up as an example, as a guide. All becoming a common dream shared, Gandhi’s vision, for an independent India. This thanks to his ability to inspire and to teach people how to turn challenges into opportunities.
Having read this short article, have you had an idea if you act more like a manager or a leader? Compare yourself with your colleagues, your group and check how your action is perceived.
We are convinced that knowing how to be an example and inspiration can bring enormous benefits to corporate organizations.