As a manager you’re often carrying out the instructions of others, or implementing their visions. It’s your job to make sure that tasks are carried out and that goals are achieved.
As a leader, one of the key differences is that it’s often you that is the one setting the direction.
In order for you to be able to do that, you need to know where you want to go, or what it is that you stand for.
If’ you want to be a leader, or a preparing to become a leader then you should look to get a better understanding of yourself, what you stand for, what you want to achieve.
Why is this important?
Well, if you don’t know where you want to go, which direction you want to take, then how can people follow you, and without followers it’s difficult to be a leader.
If you lack direction, ambition or a goal, then it is impossible for people to follow you, as you are not going any where and people will not follow someone who is stood still.
When I interview managers who are looking to transition to leaders, this is often one of the biggest challenges that they face. Often, its not that they lack direction or goals, its usually that they don’t have the courage of their convictions, they don’t look to take a strong stand, or that the may be they prefer to keep their views to themsleves.
This won’t work!
So as you look to make the transition to leadership, speak up, let people know what you’re opinions are, what you stand for it also helps define who you are, then people can decide whether to align with you, and even the follow you.
This can be difficult, scary even, especially if you’re views and opinions differ from those of others leaders, or maybe even conventional thinking, but we must embrace them, it’s what makes us authentic.
As said earlier if you don’t know where you are going, then how will people be able to follow you.
Gordon Tredgold
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