Authenticity Builds Stronger Teams, Not Blind Loyalty

A note to young leaders.

Never confuse leadership with management. Leaders lead. Managers manage.

Managers treat humans as resources. Leaders believe resources are inert substances you dig out of the ground.

Leaders inspire. Managers motivate.

Managers motivate through the carrot and the stick. “Do as I tell you and I’ll reward you with a bonus or promotion. Fail and I’ll punish you with demotion or termination.”

Leaders inspire through vision, mission, values and culture. “Do what serves the mission best.” Money and status follow the mission, but are never the mission.

Leaders pull. Managers push.

If you are given the privilege to lead – then lead, don’t manage.