Managers and leaders think differently. That doesn’t mean you need a split personality to possess the traits of both. You do need some sharp self-awareness skills.
Do you have great ideas that excite people but find nothing gets very far?
Leaders like you thrive on challenge and get bored with routine. If you recognize this about yourself, you can temper that passion enough to develop some practical problem-solving strategies. Turning a good idea into a successful project requires the skills of a manager. A manager looks at available resources, comes up with a plan of action and implements it efficiently.
If you are a manager who focuses on cost analyses and inventory reports, you may not notice when employee morale is low. Even great managers need to get out of their offices everyday and mingle with the employees.
Set the alarm on your watch to remind you. That may sound silly but it will help you develop the habit of interacting. Most people appreciate some personal attention; it gives them a feeling of belonging and helps them have a vested interest in the success of the business. Leaders naturally connect with people but a manager-type personality needs to develop those traits.
The traits of a leader are balanced by the traits of a manager. Consider hiring a business coach, such as myself, to help you balance leadership and management skills. Cultivating the best of both within you will take some effort but the results will be worth it.
Next time I’ll talk more about the role of a business coach and why I think you should hire one!
Learn, Experience, Enjoy Global Success!
Jinsoo Terry
Digg This 
Del.icio.us