Leaders are people in your organization that can inspire, motivate and encourage others to work towards a common strategic goal. Managers are those that plan, organize and coordinate. While many people use the two words interchangeably, they are two distinct roles and one should not be confused for the other. Leaders provide direction for an organization and get people working towards the same goal or objective, while managers execute that vision by leading day-to-day operational tasks.
The main point of distinction between leaders and managers is the use of influence over authority. A leader has the ability to influence those around them to make changes, while a manager relies on authority to enact change through orders. It’s important for a business to have strong leaders because it’s been shown employees respond well to those that don’t rely on a title to wield power, but instead possess traits that encourage others to perform at their best.
A leader has the ability to see the needs of the whole organization and make decisions accordingly. They also are invested in the personal growth of those around them and the business as a whole. They engage people within the organization without relying on their authority and are positively perceived by colleagues and other employees.
To help move your business forward, you need a way to easily identify people within your organization that exhibit behaviors consistent with successful leaders.
Do you need help identifying and developing effective leadership behaviors? Envision Global Leadership’s ALII-Map Enterprise assessment is a research-based, statistically valid instrument focused on influence behaviors, including emotional intelligence.
Our program provides mid- to senior-level workers with insight into the strength of their influence and helps organizations develop future leadership. Reach out today to learn more about our assessment and how you can invest in your organization’s future.
