Managing VS Leading: Understanding Both Roles

There are two key roles a manager plays: managing and leading.

Managing focuses on the practical and operational side of things. Making sure your teams have what they need to make progress. Do they know what to prioritize? Are the bills paid, salaries handled, and vacations taken?

Leading has two parts. First is understanding your team: how they work, what challenges they face, and what you can realistically achieve together. Second is painting a picture of a possible future, especially when the team struggles to see beyond their current challenges.