People often use “managing” and “leading” interchangeably, but they are not the same.
Managers focus on:
• Tasks
• Processes
• Deadlines
Leaders focus on:
• People
• Vision
• Growth
Imagine your team misses an important deadline.
A manager asks, “What caused the delay, and how do we get back on schedule?”
A leader also asks, “What obstacles did the team face, and how can I help?”
Strong leadership requires both: managing the work and leading the people.
What do you think is the biggest difference between managing and leading? Let me know your thoughts!