It may sound crazy, but good managers and good leaders should be judged by completely different standards. We’ve all had our own experience, and perhaps you personally transitioned from an employee to a manager, most likely with increased responsibilities. With situations like this, the question is always clear: How is it decided who’s appropriate for an executive position, and who is not? Should these opportunities go to the employees who have worked the longest at the company, and waited for their chance?
Or is it the employees who attack every challenge with enthusiasm, energy and creativity, who leave no stone unturned before they’re satisfied? The fact is, not all managers are great leaders. Maybe it can be expressed better like this: to be a manager is a task. To be a leader is a skill.
We’ve put together the three signs of a great leader. Which will you be – a manager, or a leader?
1. See your employees as people, not just workers
The human mind loves structure. So to better understand a complex system, like the collaboration process of different personalities, we have the tendency to label people before really getting to know them. How practical hierarchies and job titles can be! Don’t misunderstand – it’s important to establish clear responsibilities, with clear boundaries. But behind every job description is a real person, with their own skills and talents.
While managers concern themselves with maintaining order and creating team structure, true leaders are able to assess what kind of potential every colleague has, regardless of whether the employee in question is an intern or a senior manager. Could you do the same?
2. Transparency and respect are requirements for teamwork
For plenty of people, the transition to a management position is a time when they believe that they’ve reached the top of the career ladder. While it’s normally important for managers, whether men or women, to feel liked by their employees, true leaders typically have a completely different goal in mind. For them, it’s not about whether their employees praise them. It’s about mutual respect.
Regardless of whether an employee is 100% satisfied with the work methods or their coworkers, as long as they lead to success, they will accept or come to terms with their working conditions. In the workplace, being liked is not the most important goal. However, it’s imperative that both leaders and employees share a mutual respect. Strong leaders understand this difference.
3. Responsibility is an integral part of leadership
True friendship is revealed when the going gets rough, and you notice who is still by your side. It’s the same in the work world. When something goes wrong, some managers will raise a knowing finger and begin to scold, saying “I told you so!”.
But for great leaders, this concept is completely foreign. They will take responsibility for all issues, and take every necessary measure to ensure that the problem is solved. Great leaders will never raise their voice or criticize their coworkers. Rather, they’ll simply say: “Next time we’ll do it better. Together. Any questions?”
