21 Differences Between Managers & Leaders

Summary

The video script emphasizes the distinction between a manager and a leader, highlighting 21 key differences. It suggests that while both roles are essential, effective leadership often involves selling the 'why' behind tasks, showing rather than telling, and focusing on people over numbers. Leaders are portrayed as emotionally driven, mission-focused, and willing to take risks for exponential growth. They are decisive, give credit to their team, and know when to relax to foster a better working environment. The script challenges viewers to assess their own tendencies and consider whether they lean more towards management or leadership, and what adjustments they might need to make to achieve their future goals, ultimately aiming to help individuals enhance their business and personal growth.

Takeaways

• 📚 **Learning and Leadership**: Recognizing the importance of both learning and leading in business, where learning leads to the realization of the need for leadership.
• 🛡️🏈 **Defensive and Offensive Strategies**: Understanding the balance between defensive strategies (like insurance and bonds) and offensive strategies (like stocks and mutual funds) in wealth management and business growth.
• 🗣️ **Telling vs. Selling**: Managers tend to tell people what to do, while leaders sell the 'why' behind the action, inspiring their teams.
• 👟 **Training vs. Showing**: Managers train by explaining how to do tasks, whereas leaders demonstrate by example, showing how tasks are done.
• ❤️ **Logic vs. Emotion**: Managers often rely on logic and risk assessment, while leaders appeal to emotion and inspire action towards a vision.
• 🎯 **System vs. Mission**: Managers are system-driven, focusing on processes, whereas leaders are mission and vision-oriented, keeping the company's purpose at the forefront.
• 📈 **Tracking vs. Driving**: Managers track numbers, but leaders understand how to drive those numbers, using data to make strategic decisions.
• ⏯️ **Avoiding vs. Addressing Conflict**: Managers may avoid conflict, while leaders address it head-on to maintain a healthy and productive environment.
• 👥 **People-Focused**: Leaders are more people-focused, looking at individual strengths and potential, whereas managers are more numbers-focused.
• 🔗 **Accountability by Force vs. Choice**: Managers enforce accountability with the threat of consequences, while leaders inspire it through choice and commitment.
• 🌳 **Managing Work vs. Leading People**: Managers are focused on managing tasks and work, while leaders are focused on developing and inspiring people.
• 🌟 **Oak Tree vs. Willow Tree**: Leaders understand the need to be firm (like an oak tree) and flexible (like a willow tree), adapting to different situations and people.
• 🔧 **Complicating vs. Simplifying**: Managers sometimes overcomplicate tasks, whereas leaders simplify them, making them more achievable.
• 🕒 **Working Expected Hours vs. Sacrificing**: Leaders often work beyond expectations, making sacrifices to gain the respect and credibility of their team.
• 🏆 **Achievers vs. Overachievers**: Managers may be content with achieving set goals, while leaders are never satisfied and always strive for more.
• 🤔 **Overthinking vs. Decisiveness**: Managers may overthink decisions, while leaders are decisive, making choices and moving forward.
• 💡 **Seeking vs. Giving Credit**: Managers might seek credit for their work, but leaders give credit to their team, fostering a collaborative environment.
• 🚫 **Risk Aversion vs. Risk-Taking**: Managers tend to avoid risks to ensure safety and stability, while leaders embrace risks for potential bigger rewards.
• 📊 **Linear vs. Exponential Growth**: Managers often lead to linear growth, while leaders aim for exponential growth, thinking beyond immediate gains.
• 🤝 **Authority vs. Charisma**: Managers may rely on authority to lead, but leaders often use charisma to inspire and motivate.
• 🎉 **Knowing When to Let Loose**: Leaders understand the importance of letting loose and relaxing, which can enhance team performance and morale.
• 💵 **Short-Term Profit vs. Long-Term Value**: Managers focus on short-term profits to satisfy stakeholders, while leaders focus on creating long-term value.
• ⚖️ **Control vs. Influence**: Managers attempt to control all aspects, while leaders influence others to take action and contribute to the business's growth.

Q & A

What is the main challenge a small business owner faces when it comes to management and leadership?

The main challenge is the struggle between being a manager, which involves handling tasks and processes, and being a leader, which requires vision, motivation, and selling the 'why' behind actions.

How do managers and leaders differ in their approach to communication?

Managers tend to tell people what to do, focusing on the tasks at hand, while leaders sell the 'why' behind the actions, inspiring and motivating their team.

What is the difference between training and showing in the context of management and leadership?

Managers train by explaining how to do things, while leaders show by demonstrating the process themselves, allowing team members to observe and learn.

How do the approaches of managers and leaders differ when it comes to logic and emotion?

Managers often rely on logic and data to make decisions, whereas leaders use emotion to inspire and motivate, creating a vision that resonates with the team.

What is the key difference between a manager's and a leader's focus on systems and missions?

Managers are typically driven by systems and processes, while leaders are focused on the mission and vision of the company, constantly reminding the team of the bigger picture.

How does a leader approach the issue of conflict in comparison to a manager?

Leaders are more proactive in addressing conflicts, preferring to tackle issues head-on to resolve them quickly. Managers may avoid conflict to prevent disruption.

What is the primary focus of managers and leaders when it comes to numbers and people?

Managers are more focused on numbers, tracking and analyzing data, while leaders are people-focused, looking at individual strengths and how to best utilize them.

How do managers enforce accountability, and how does this differ from a leader's approach?

Managers enforce accountability by force, with consequences such as job loss for non-compliance. Leaders inspire accountability by choice, motivating team members to take pride in their work and meet goals.

What is the difference between a manager's and a leader's approach to handling work and people?

Managers focus on managing work and ensuring tasks are completed, while leaders focus on leading people, understanding their needs, and helping them grow.

How do managers and leaders differ in their approach to complexity and simplicity?

Managers sometimes complicate tasks, making them more difficult to handle. Leaders, on the other hand, simplify tasks, breaking them down into manageable steps to streamline processes.

What is the key difference between a manager's and a leader's perspective on risk?

Managers tend to avoid risk, focusing on safety and security. Leaders are more willing to take risks, calculating the potential for reward and making informed decisions to drive growth.

How do managers and leaders differ in their approach to authority and charisma?

Managers may rely on authority to command respect, while leaders often use charisma to inspire and motivate, creating a connection that encourages team members to follow their lead.