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Leader vs Manager

During the first years of my career I tried to avoid management positions and I always chose a technical career path. The main reason was that I met so much not so good managers and I did not want to be like them. I focused on a technical challenges. Of course sometimes I had to do some management stuff: couching of juniors, technical project and product management. That time I found out that I must be more Leader than Manager. Today I am a SW Team Leader and I enjoy this job. So what is the difference between Leader and Manager?

Leader has the vision - manager just copy with eyes on bottom line
If you want to lead, you need to know exactly where you would like to go, you need to see the horizon and be the original.

Leader motivates, empowers, delegates and trusts - manager does command&controls
Do not act like parent with children. If you have in your team the pushovers, send them back to the kindergarten. Micromanagement, it is totally obsolete.

Leader sees people - manager sees employees
Be a human does not mean that you are a doormat.

Leader shields the team - manager lets the shit falls down
This one is not easy but helps to build real team spirit, of course problems inside of the team cannot be ignored or covered.

Leader challenges the people - manager prefers status quo
People tend to stay in the comfortable zone, it is good to raise the bar and help them grow. Thrive, not just survive.

Leader sees the solution  -  manager sees a problem
It is easy just pointing on a problem, the real thing is find the solution and make it happen.

Leader eats his own dog food - manager just talks about it
Be real example, be authentic and inspire others, not just talking about water and drink wine like hypocrite.

Comments

  1. haadOctober 16, 2015 at 8:10 AM

    Maybe lead by example is missing ? sounds like good addition otherwise +1

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownOctober 18, 2015 at 11:18 PM

    Yes, this a good one

    ReplyDelete

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