Managers and leaders differ; managers often tell their employees to do particular tasks while leaders participate in those tasks and deliver more effective results. While it is essential to hire managers who motivate employees, leaders are more vital to the development and growth of an organization.
That said, on the surface, the concept of a manager and a leader sounds somewhat interchangeable. While both have the same job responsibilities and titles, there are a few key differences. It is a manager’s job to maintain the status quo, while it is the leader’s responsibility to push it.
Although there will be times and instances where both will prosper, positive thinking and success stem from leadership. Hence, managers must constantly strive and adopt leadership qualities of their own. On that note, let us look at a few reasons it’s better to be a leader than a manager. Keep reading to understand why being a leader is better than being a manager.
Leaders inspire others to be better in every way, whether it is a project or a life-changing decision. As people always need mentors, being a leader creates influence that inspires employees to gain motivation and perform at their best.
A key ingredient is knowledge and experience that separates a leader from a manager. Through education, a leader justifies their stance towards achieving milestones. This is something that is learned in detail through degrees that focus on task delegation and participation tactics. Degrees similar to an online MBA no gmat and a Masters in Human Resources are a few good examples that equip candidates with the knowledge and experience necessary to become leaders rather than just managers.
Leaders innovate.
Where would tech giants like Virgin or Apple be today if it wasn’t for the leadership qualities of Sir Richard Branson or Steve Jobs? Their names are synonymous with their businesses due to their abilities to innovate and drive their companies to success. Elite leaders never rest until they reach their goal while striving for continuous improvements and forcing breakthroughs that disrupt their respective industries.
So, to incorporate a business structure that promotes innovation, leaders must encourage their employees to move mountains and push boundaries while achieving their personal and professional goals in the process.
Leaders inspire engagement and trust.
According to Harward Business Review, 70 percent of employees state that encouraging and inspiring employee engagement is an ability that every leader should have. In addition, another study by Gallup says that businesses that promote a culture of engagement have a higher chance of experiencing business success.
However, engagement is more than just a pat on the back or a few fun parties where employees gossip with each other. As employees can see through fake attempts of enforcing engagement, leaders must utilize simple strategies to develop lasting connections.
An organization that looks to pursue engagement via leadership will be the most successful in the future. For example, with engagement software like Culture Amp, leaders can collect employee feedback to identify business areas that require improvement.
Leaders can then utilize this information and put their employees’ ideas and suggestions into effect. After all, your employees will become more loyal to your business after seeing you’ve put their ideas to good use.
Leaders focus more on the ‘why.’
Unfortunately, today’s business leaders find it extremely difficult to unite their employees and motivate them towards unified goals. A leader understands the importance of workplace transparency. They should focus on the ‘why’ rather than only focusing on the when and what. For example, businesses that employ a ‘do as you are told’ approach often face adverse outcomes like confusion and trust from employees.
To avoid such issues, leaders step in and tell their employees what they need to do while providing genuine reasoning behind the task at hand. It allows their employees to maintain their confidence and stirs up feelings of inspiration inside them.
In the end, it is a leader’s responsibility to convey the way everything from processes to ideas plays a vital role in their business’s success.
Leaders change the company culture for the better.
Cultural differences and issues are amongst the top reasons employees quit their jobs. It is a problem that harms their work environment and lowers their performance levels. A leader inspires a positive work culture by leading through proper behavior and character that employees can look up to. However, while you can acquire some leadership qualities through education and experience, there are some qualities that leaders are born with and cannot be obtained through learning.
That said, it is vital that leaders set high standards and promote a workplace culture that revolves around their employees. Leaders know that their employees are their company’s lifeblood, and failing to keep them satisfied will lead to dire consequences.
However, it is also essential to set cultural standards through the hiring process. Technology will prove to be a boon in this case. AI-based recruiting software like Harver utilizes algorithms that uncover employees’ talent related to a company’s culture.
Moreover, the application uses machine learning to identify an applicant’s problem-solving capabilities, situational judgment, and personality traits. It then allows leaders to hire the talent they think will gel well with their culture. In the end, being a leader is all about staying involved in your business’s growth and development from start to finish.
Leaders bring out the best in their employees.
It is no secret that there has been a massive decline in workplace productivity over the years. While there can be thousands of reasons for such a phenomenon, one thing is for sure- businesses now focus less on creating value than earning profits.
Modern employees are more knowledgeable than ever. And need to remain satisfied with their workplace. That said, when employees feel underappreciated and undervalued, their motivation levels go down.
It is where leaders come in to ensure that employees know that their employers value them highly. For example, Harley Davidson was finding it extremely difficult to turn a profit in the 1980s. In addition, they reported a loss of fifteen million dollars due to fierce competition from overseas motorcycle companies such as Honda and Suzuki.
So when Richard Teerlink stepped in and took charge, he shifted the company’s focus to providing excellent customer service. He encouraged employees to develop their skills and got them more involved, allowing Harley Davidson to become a financial powerhouse.
Conclusion
Leaders have the presence of mind and the abilities to bring out the very best in their employees. Furthermore, they have a demeanor that demands respect. It is their job to push their business forward to turn it into a profitable one.
However, managers are also necessary for a business’s success and growth. But, if a company wants to grow and strive in today’s competitive market, it requires leaders who can innovate and take it forward with a unified vision in mind.