The difference between leaders and managers…
Leaders are known to ask these specific questions:
What can we do?
How does it benefit our customers?
How can we do it?
What are the possible blockers in achieving it?
When can we deliver on it?
Can we get feedback on this before X, Y date?
Managers are the ones who tell you what to do, based on what the team have come up with after the leaders have asked the questions.
There are two types of mangers in this aspect: Micro Managers and Macro Managers
Micro Managers—are the ones who tell you what to do and monitor your work until completion date. They work on strict deadline and believe on Lean Six Sigma methodology and thinking that eliminates wastes. Yet, they give no room for improvement and autonomy. Instead, you will be expert at what you do with no latitude to learn new things.
Macro Managers—are the ones who tell you what to do. They can monitor your work only to know how you are doing. They tend to give you the autonomy to try other means rather than using the only known “How route” you can use to arrive at the same solution within deadline. This gives you the opportunity to learn new things aside the things you already know.
Both micro managers and macro managers have their strengths and weaknesses.
Which of these managers appeals to you? And which of them do you have in your team today?
