I huddled with a small group of executives recently and posed this question, “Are you a leader or a manager?”

Remember, leadership, titled or untitled, comes down to power with people— not power over people.

Leader vs. Manager

• Managers have employees and people who work for them, leaders partner with team members.
• Managers react to change, leaders adapt to change and often create good change.
• Managers have a lot of meetings and talk about good ideas, leaders seize and implement ideas. Leaders’ meetings are focused, purposeful, and action oriented.
• Managers communicate policies and procedures, leaders tell stories that persuade and inspire collective vision.
• Managers direct, tell you what to do, and where to go, leaders create cohesive teams that “take hills and conquer the impossible.”
• Managers share what they have accomplished, leaders make heroes and shine spotlights on accomplishments of personal leaders.
• Managers let you know “they are in charge,” leaders exercise power with people— they serve, equip, and inspire others to greatness.

I encourage you to exercise your leadership today. Be the leader you always wanted to follow. Be that leader to your family, friends, and team.

Here’s to you— and your leadership!
-Steve