Manager vs Leader – The Silly Debate

Some years ago, a canny consultant spotted an opportunity to make lots of money. It centered around convincing people that when it came to work, managers were bad. That all managers needed to become leaders. Why? Because leaders were good.

It was a hit. Why? Because the world was full of managers who couldn’t manage properly (some would argue it still is). It therefore made sense to “tell managers off” – like you might do with children – by shaming them, as the consultant espoused the virtues of being a leader instead.

LinkedIn lapped it up. People posted comments such as:

👉 You manage things; you lead people (attributed to Rear Admiral Grace Hopper)
👉 Bosses (aka Managers) take advantage. Leaders empower.
👉 Leaders care about people. Managers only care about themselves.
👉 I don’t manage. I lead.

The consultant made a fortune, giving talks at conferences around the world, and running workshops teaching people how to stop being managers and become leaders instead. In essence, manager was a dirty word. Management was out; leadership was in.

Fast forward to the present day … and boy oh boy, what a waste of money that was. Consultants do this, sometimes: they disrupt the status quo at work by latching onto an idea or concept that they try to make sexy. This particular concept? That being a manager is bad but being a leader is good? It’s nonsense. Garbage. A silly concept designed to line that consultant’s pockets.

My view? There’s absolutely nothing wrong with being a manager. In fact, being a decent manager is a great thing. To manage something well is to look after it, to care for it, to nurture it properly. Nothing bad about that.

More than that, though: we can’t all be leaders. A business with dozens of leaders? It’s impossible to follow more than one person when they all have their own view of where to go. The reality is: in any business, there is only ever ONE true leader. That person might be called the CEO. Or the Managing Director. Or just, “the Boss.” She or he is the one responsible for setting the overall vision and direction of the business. That’s who we follow. Everyone else? Sure, they might be inspiring and have leadership qualities. But they are managers.

In the end, what you call yourself doesn’t really matter, does it? The people you work with will either respect you or not, irrespective of your job title. But let’s not buy into this silly notion that being a manager is bad. Because it’s not. If I’m working in a business do I need a fabulous leader? Not really. Most workers I speak to just want a decent manager in their day-to-day job.

That consultant? They made their cash and fled. Let’s also move on. It’s time people were once again proud to be called a manager. The challenge? Becoming a good one. But let’s leave that particular discussion for another day.