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Most people tend to only think of a leader as someone who holds a high position in the workplace. But a title does not immediately equate to neither being a leader nor it is a requirement. A person can be a director or manager of a company and yet fail to lead others.
If you’re one of those who are guilty of this misconception, then you might be mixing up leadership with management or supervision. All three are often interchanged, but they are distinct activities that deliver specific outcomes for the success of a business.
What Is The Difference Between The Three?
It is essential to clear up the distinction between the three terms to help you understand leadership better.
Leadership, management, and supervision are all necessary skills that add value to work and the company. Each ability is not superior or inferior to the other.
Leadership
Leadership is the ability to inspire, motivate, and influence people in reaching the goals and achieving extraordinary results. Leaders do this by effectively and responsibly engaging with people, programs, and processes.
They raise questions that compel others to develop and apply problem-solving, critical thinking, and process improvement skills at work. Leadership is not about status, title, or seniority. Anyone can be a leader as long as they have the ability and power to influence those around them.
Supervision
Supervision is the act of overseeing and directing processes, delegating tasks, activities, and responsibilities. This process is carried out by a trained supervisor to help employees who are under them.
Management
Management is the process of controlling and dealing with things, processes, and systems. Unlike leadership, management is reflected in the title of a person. A person can be a manager without having an employee under their direction. They are tasked to plan activities, organize resources, and control costs and quality.
Everyone Can Be a Leader
A leader can exist at any level of the company; from CEOs, directors, managers, and even employees. You need not have to be a senior or a title-holder to empower others to give and be their best.
Great leaders are a vital asset to every company. The success of an employee, their performance, and the decisions they make are greatly influenced by the leaders around them.
Everyone can and must develop and improve their leadership skills for the success of a business. The good thing about working on this skill is that you can transform into a better person, not just for others but also for yourself.
How to Be a Great Leader?
Becoming a great leader doesn’t just happen overnight. You can be a leader as long as you are inclined and willing to help and lead others to their full potential.
Aside from that, a leader should also consistently practice the following actions:
- Inspire others
- Spread optimism
- Recognize the potential and acknowledge the accomplishments of others
- Set goals
- Delegate tasks
- Collaborate with others
- Keeps promises
- Show integrity and honesty
- Be decisive
Asking for professional feedback from your co-workers can also help. This way, you will be aware of your strengths and weaknesses. Once you know your blind spots, you can make the appropriate course of action to hone and improve your leadership skills.
Leadership is one of the skills that are linked to the success of a company. Unlike management and supervision, this action is not limited to a title or position. It is a skill and action that can be performed by all employees to influence those around them.
