Yes, there is a HUGE difference.
You say how?
And I respond by saying this goes further than that bogus chain of command that corporate established and created as far as authority is concerned. I am inferring to traits, personality, behavior, and attributes. Do you believe that there are natural born leaders? Could you wrap your my mind around the fact that some people are born to follow/support verses lead? Have you ever worked with the best supervisor but had to endure a horrible manager? Well, I answer all of these questions and my hope is to give you a better understanding of Leadership and all the in-betweens.
A Leader Explored:: Although both titles suggest influence they are very different in terms of positioning and execution. A leader is:
- Passionate (Lives life with or for a purpose)
- Innovative (Creative, create ideas, loves to think, has the solution to problems)
- Inspiring (Motivational/shares knowledge)
- Courageous (Does everything afraid, may not know the “How-to” but gets it done)
- Ambiguous (Optimistic, believes that it will work despite variables)
- Experimental (Steps outside of the box and never conforms)
Summary: So a leader is someone who influences others to attain goals. This individual creates a vision or has a vision of nothing that will turn into something. That something could be a product or service. A leader must know what they want and how to go about getting to the end result. Leaders are strategists who:
- Lead by example,
- Seize opportunities,
- Set goals,
- Understands the power of delegation and then
- Comes to an end result in which the vision is manifested or tangible.
Your mind is like well, I am in a leadership position (or know someone that is) and they possess the same qualities of a leader. What is she talking about?
The Difference:: Responsibility
Team Leads, Supervisors, Specialists, Managers, Directors, Coordinators, and Vice-Presidents are all considered leaders because they are in leadership roles/management. Andrew J. Dubrin, author of Leadership (Research Findings, Practice, and Skills) concludes that, “Management is more formal and scientific…It relies on universal skills such as planning, budgeting, and controlling. Management is an explicit set of tools and techniques based on reasoning and testing, that can be used in a variety of situations.” Someone acting in a leadership role is structured, authoritative, and acts like a boss –but is NOT the boss. This person is given formal directions to complete. How would they know what to do if they didn’t receive direct orders on how to execute? A leader creates a vision and someone acting in a leadership role implements the vision. Point. Blank. Period.
So…What is Leadership?:: Leadership is an act of influencing people by persuasion or example to follow a line of action.
A leader takes an idea, manages it, and develops it from A to Z. Someone acting as a Manager, Director, Coordinator, Specialist, VP, Supervisor, or TL (member acting in a leadership role) receives the idea and objectives from their leader and assists in reaching the intended goal.
Summary: A fruitful/successful business has an effective visionary leader behind its operation. I believe that everyone has leadership characteristics but not everyone is called to be a leader. Natural born leaders are people who know how to get un-stuck. A leader is able to enlist others to see their vision just as it is seen through their eyes. People that excel in leadership roles, understand their position and know that they are called to support. Scottie Pippen could have never filled Michael Jordon’s role. Gayle King is Oprah Winfrey’s support system. Co-hosts of The View perfectly execute Barbara Walters idea of a great talk show. That’s the difference.
As a female entrepreneur or business owner have you ever taken the time to think about your position? In what role would you be or do your absolute best?
Are you a Leader? Or do you support leaders effectively?
