Leaders guide people, resources and strategies toward their vision of tomorrow. Managers focus on the tactical / practical realities of today. At times a leader must act as a manager, and it's vital to have standards that tell you when such a time has come—and when it has passed. Without specific guidelines, you risk either being too hands-on, or too hands-off. Given your leadership style and your organization's challenges, what clear signals or metrics would tell you it's time to act as a manager? Answer that, and you upgrade your ability to serve your organization and those reporting to you.
Note: Over 100 of these tips appear in my new book: Beyond Effective: Practices in Self-aware Leadership. Click on the image of the book at the top of this blog for more information.
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