Are You a Leader or a Manager? Leaders and managers both play indispensable roles in the success of companies. This blog post aims to uncover the disparities between these two positions, highlighting the unique characteristics of each. By exploring these differences, you can gain valuable insights to assess your own strengths as you contemplate your next career move.
The Bigger Picture:
Leaders, as visionaries, share their aspirations with their teams and colleagues. They act as cheerleaders, inspiring and motivating others to contribute towards realising the vision. Collaboration is their cornerstone, as they believe that working together leads to greater achievements. On the other hand, managers focus on setting, measuring, and accomplishing specific business goals. They prioritize control and risk management to achieve or surpass their objectives.
Function:
Leaders influence and guide team behaviour to willingly accomplish organisational goals. They celebrate team victories and foster a sense of unity. In contrast, managers carry out the five key functions of management: planning, organising, staffing, directing, and controlling. Their role is to ensure efficient operations and oversee the achievement of predetermined targets.
Conclusion:
While not all managers are considered leaders, it is crucial for strong managers to possess leadership qualities and inspire their teams. By encouraging employees to align with the vision and effectively managing day-to-day operations, managers can drive their teams towards success. Reflect on your own strengths and aspirations to determine whether you identify more as a manager, a leader, or if you’re ready to embrace new challenges. Our Saxton Leigh, risk, compliance, operations and legal specialist consultants are here to guide you through your career transition and help you thrive in the compliance or financial crime sector.
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