Leaders vs. managers

As a follow up to Steve Ventura's leadership post I want to share a revelation that I didn't realize until the last few years...most managers are not leaders.

For most of my career I thought these words were one in the same. How could a manager not be a leader? In the context of my career weren't all sales managers leaders?

I owe much of my "awareness" to the writings of Seth Godin. His book "Tribes" included these memorable comments:

1. Leadership is about creating change that you believe in.
2. Leaders have followers, managers have employees.
3. Leaders change the status quo.  

I could write many posts about the managers I worked for who did not lead. It would be pointless.

The best leader I ever worked for was a visionary. He saw the opportunities in the market and put them into focus. He highlighted my strengths in front of peers to build my confidence and expectations. He did the same for others. In retrospect I did my best work when working for (with) him. I was truly following his lead, and he set a great example.

Leaders initiate. They have skill and attitude. Generosity and bravery. They are in it for the good of all. Managers are great followers, amongst other things.