The transition from manager to leader doesn’t happen overnight and it requires a lot of effort and hard work. Making the jump from manager to leader requires a conscious mental shift.
Here are 4 changes that you need to make if you want to excel in the leadership role:
- Stop managing
- Keep your ego in check
- Control your emotions
- Care for your people
The first one is: Stop managing.
Managing people is different from leading people.
To become a leader you need to stay away from tactical activities and operational issues.
You must focus on strategic goals and decisions.
In fact, as a leader you should inspire growth, share strategies and set long-term goals for your company.
As a manager you were focused on your own performance objectives.
As a leader, your mindset should shift from your own performance to nurturing the growth potential of each employee in the organization.
Of course you can get involved in operational activities, if the situation calls for it; but in general if you want to become an effective leader you must learn when and how to let go of your instinct to “manage.”
The second one is: Keep your ego in check.
Becoming a leader means being able to keep your ego in check, in any situation, while still taking accountability and ownership of the organization.
Ego represents your sense of self and is critical to self-esteem, which is good.
But when your ego gets too big, you become a narcissist and narcissists try to discredit or bully anyone who disagrees with them.
It is important to encourage people to express their frustrations and concerns without fear of consequences.
You control your ego when you are aware of what you can and cannot do.
So, even if you are confident in your abilities, ask for help when you need it be willing to admit your mistakes, without denying them or becoming defensive hire the best people available and help them achieve success.
Exceptional leaders do not see others as threats to their own status and career, instead they continuously work to create a successful environment where people enjoy working.
The third one is: Control your emotions.
As a leader, you cannot afford to panic when times get stressful or difficult.
Being calm is contagious, as is panic.
You need to stay calm and positive so that you can think and communicate clearly with your people.
The difference between managers and leaders is the way they react to problems and obstacles.
During tough times managers often get angry, spreading panic and chaos across the rest of the team.
Whereas leaders stay relaxed, analyze the issue and focus on the next step to keep the organization moving forward.
Strong leaders are able to control their emotions.
Leaders who lack emotional intelligence are not able to effectively understand the needs and expectations of those they lead.
The more you are able to relate to others, the better you become at understanding what motivates or upsets them.
The fourth is: Care for your people.
As a manager you were asked to care about your people.
How they behave, what their attitude is, how much work they do and so on.
Basically, managers take care mostly about their team’s performance and productivity.
When you make the jump from manager to leader you need to start caring “for” the people you lead.
It is important that your people feel that you care for them as human beings first and members of your team second.
Remember, your team members are more important than the activities you ask them to complete.
Great leaders create an environment of positivity to promote a supportive and cooperative attitude.
These leaders forget their rights, their job titles, and focus on the responsibility to make a difference in the lives of the people they lead.
So the suggestion here is simple: leave your position, your comfort zone, and move towards you people.
These are the 4 changes that I think would help you to make the jump from manager to leader.
Jack Welch once said:
Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself.
When you become a leader, success is all about growing others.
Jack Welch
