Leader Over Manager

An excerpt from The Employee-Coach Handbook.

Managing is not leading. Directing is not leading. Leaders persuade people to follow them, with eyes and hearts on the future, despite the noise and chaos of the current state.

Many organizations mistake taking initiative and being curious for being a leader. These are great qualities of anyone; employee, manager, or parent. We hear corporate messages and people say, “Everyone is a leader here.” It may sound motivating, but it’s not usually intended to encourage employees to persuade others to follow them with the future in mind.

Harry’s Ridge trail, in beautiful Mt. St. Helen’s National Monument. Leaders can’t see the rest of the path, yet they have their eyes and hearts on the future.