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Being a leader-manager can be an “iffy” proposition. Four “ifs” to begin with.

If you are controlling your work group, rarely leave your department, constantly micro manage all processes to check what the staff are up to, constantly defining what a ‘good’ job looks like, stipulating standards, insisting on a rigorous regime of task methodology or requirements and allocating authority based on tiles and seniority then you are managing.

If however you are freely encouraging a culture of finding ways to develop and implement new ideas, fostering creativity and initiative by letting ‘followers’ participate in a flexible situation where authority is shared and allowing some percentage mistakes for the sake of overall improvement then you are leading.

If you are overseeing the survival of your organization by merely dealing with short-term operational needs and processes whilst strictly controlling costs and watching a budget set by others you are managing.

If you are on the other hand constantly looking for growth through identifying new and possibly risky ventures that could be the basis for future income or if not turning out as you would wish possibly losses you are leading.

Management is about… instructing, allocating, delegating, following up, organizing, overseeing activities, processes & individual tasks, control & supervision and directing whereas leadership is about… inspiring, helping, encouraging teamwork, coaching, supporting,  aligning with your workforce, planning, seeking process improvement, implementing change, agreeing goals and empowering followers.

The concepts of leading versus managing are really quite different however in most organizations managers are expected to play both roles at once. This challenge of almost needing a dual personality is one, that if you wish to gain greater authority in your organization, you will need to deal with for your entire career.

Now if you cannot see the chance for advancement in your current organization that your desire perhaps its time to move on to another. Here is a resume example that may assist in your quest to find a challenging role as a leader manager. resume example

Remember by taking on a management role you will need to accept that with authority comes responsibility. The responsibly you will need to live with is not just to see that the organization’s rules and procedures are followed, you must be able to take responsibility for outcomes, both now and in the future. Bearing responsibility of course is where the real money can be earnt.