You can be a very successful manager without ever becoming a leader.
I was reminded of this recently while catching up with a former colleague.
We found ourselves laughing about some of the memories we shared, including one senior manager we both remembered very well.
Despite the size of his role, he was the kind of person who never challenged anything, no matter how ridiculous it was. He always seemed focused on keeping everyone happy.
His attitude was very much: “Let’s keep things as they are. Don’t rock the boat.”
Can you become a manager by behaving like that?
Of course you can.
As long as things keep moving and nobody complains, no one really objects.
But can you become a leader?
Will people look up to you? Trust what you say? Follow you because they believe in where you’re going?
I highly doubt it.
To me, a good leader should be able to offer different perspectives and ask the uncomfortable questions everyone else would rather avoid.
That’s how you create space for change.
Not by trying to meet everyone’s expectations and preserve the status quo.
If our goal is to be popular, get constant applause, and make sure everyone likes us, we might get through the day.
But we won’t create lasting impact.
Maybe it’s worth taking a moment today to look at our own leadership.
Which side are we closer to?
Hatice Demircan