In this episode, Kevin Adamson tackles the classic debate of leader vs. manager, offering clarity and real-world examples to help you identify which role you're in—or which one you should be focusing on.

• Defining the Roles: Kevin begins by defining leadership as having an impact on others and management as the processes and tasks necessary to achieve a goal. He uses a helpful analogy: "A square is a rectangle, but a rectangle isn’t necessarily a square" to illustrate their relationship.
• A Real-World Example: Kevin shares his experience as a US Army chaplain assistant, where he managed the logistics and operations of events, while the chaplain led by providing the vision and strategy. This example clearly shows how both roles are essential but distinct.
• A Cohesive Vision: Using his current role as a software engineering team manager, Kevin explains how his team's day-to-day work is like a single thread in a larger tapestry. He highlights that while each thread is crucial for the final product, it’s the leader’s vision that guides the overall design.
• The Takeaway: Kevin argues that both leaders and managers are essential for an organization's success. He encourages listeners to reflect on where they can do the most good: in the day-to-day operations or in long-term strategy and people development.

Don’t get caught up in the debate; instead, find the role where you can have the most impact. Subscribe to OmniLeadership to continue your journey of purposeful leadership!