Are You a Leader or a Manager?

Ask yourself these questions:

Am I in the right position at work or in life in general, and am I able to use my gifts and talents to the fullest?

Sometimes we find ourselves getting frustrated with our jobs and getting no fulfillment from them. I know it, because I felt that way for a long time.

When I started Auntie Anne's, I found myself going to work every day, but I wondered, "Where do I fit in? What am I expected to do as the President of a growing company?"

One of the reasons for my frustration was that I didn't understand the difference between managing and leading. It wasn't until I read the article "There is a Difference" that I understood my role in the company. As I read it, the difference became very clear to me, and I was able to focus my gifts and talents accordingly, rather than racing from one to the other and never knowing where I belonged.

Mr. Olan Hendrix has made the following distinctions:

Leadership is a quality;
    management is a science and an art.

Leadership provides vision;
    management supplies realistic perspectives.

Leadership deals with concepts;
    management relates to functions.

Leadership exercises faith;
    management has to do with fact.

Leadership seeks for effectiveness;
    management strives for efficiency.

I hope this bit of insight will help you as you go to your place of work each day. And remember: no matter whether you are a leader or a manager, people pay more attention to what you do than what you say.

What are some differences that you see between leadership and management?