The difference between leader and manager is slight but they are functionally different. The difference for me between leader and manager is that a leader is involved in the action where a manager oversees but isn’t directly involved in the work. Personally, in the workforce I have no use for managers as a worker I want my superior working beside me, instead of periodically checking up on me.

The Wall Street Journal has an article about leadership styles developing your personal style where it says, “Leadership is less about your needs, and more about the needs of the people and the organization you are leading. Leadership styles are not something to be tried on like so many suits, to see which fits. Rather, they should be adapted to the particular demands of the situation, the particular requirements of the people involved and the particular challenges facing the organization.”

On an article from Leaders in Heels I found a quote by  Rosalind Cardinal, “The key to being an effective leader is to have a broad repertoire of styles and to use them appropriately.” The article gives 6 different leadership styles, directive, authoritative, affiliation, participate, pace setting, and coaching leadership style.

As both articles touch upon that as a leader you should be skilled in different styles so that you can use the appropriate style per the situation. As a leader, you need to know your followers such that you can give them what they need to succeed at that moment in time. Leaders are supposed to provide direction not supervision. 

Are you a leader or a manager? Let me know what you think, please comment and share. Thanks for reading.

Photo By: Scott Maxwell Via. Flickr