I wanted to look at this whole leader vs. manager thing but from a different view point. I would say that we would all have the same definition of these words…give or take an adjective or two. I do not want to focus on differences but on how we lead these people that are on our team.
I would say most leaders want leaders. However, I have seen a few positions that only require someone to manage them. This doesn’t mean that we don’t invest in them or help them grow. That is a non-negotiable. This just means that it really only requires a box checker or someone to execute something that is already developed. We do not need someone to create something, improve something, or lead teams. It is a clearly identified role. Here is where I am going with this from the hiring/leading perspective…
PLEASE, do not sell a manager role to them as “leadership”. Be up front with the expectations, what is required, and the honest deal with what is needed. The problem is when we mis-sell a position to a leader that ends up with them being a box checker…everything will suffer. The organization will suffer because at some point the leader will be forced to leave. This could be a real game changer for the organization that is now headed down the road. A genuine leader will not be happy for a long period of time checking boxes. Now, the organization is back to filling a position, the team is back to starting over with connecting and jelling, and could have fall out from the “customer”. It is just so not worth it!
Hire a manager to manage and a leader to lead…just my thoughts…