Not all leaders are managers, and not all managers are leaders. While a leader is often an entrepreneur or CEO, their strength is empowering others to maximize efforts towards a common goal. A good leader also looks for talent to help run operations and fills this role as a manager.

A manager is there to follow the rules, implementing various styles to get subordinates to achieve an objective, using organization, planning and control. They can, however, become leaders when they adopt abilities that motivate, influence and enable others to participate in the company’s success.

Are you looking to upgrade your leadership development skills to better serve your company’s interests and your performance? This is how to be a good leader and manager.

1. Have a Clear Vision

You can’t effectively lead if you don’t know where you are going. You must set a clear vision and strategy to steer the ship and get the most out of your team. Adopt a leadership style that works toward your goals and implement your strategy for improving employee engagement and productivity.

When you effectively lead, your team will follow, and they will help you realize your vision for the business.

2. Be a Better Communicator

Communication is a two-way street; to effectively manage, you must connect with your team and make an impact when you speak. The information must be passed along, and your message must reach its intended target.

Communication is best done in several forms, including:

• Giving positive and negative feedback
• Regular one-on-one meetings
• Training sessions
• Written information
• Requesting direct feedback
• Open floor talks
• Group discussions
• Active listening
• Presentations

Having a protected culture where employees are free to approach you to address their concerns and share ideas is what a leader creates.

3. Maximize Your Time

Managing doesn’t happen in a vacuum, and time isn’t infinite, so you must properly manage your time to be an effective leader. Prioritizing is the key here, and many issues will come to you on any given day. It is up to you to orient them and deal with them effectively.

Making decisions quickly will serve you well, but you must have a clear and decisive objective. Also, allow yourself some downtime when needed. Dealing with employee problems can interrupt your day, so schedule your interaction to make the best use of your time.

4. Delegate According to Talent

To be the best leader, you need to empower those around you. You are managing a team, and there will be a variety of talent to pick from. Get to know your team member’s strengths and what drives them so you can capitalize on their skill set. Putting the right people in key positions will drive success and expose the company to new ideas and innovation.

Make these decisions based on skill sets rather than quotas but don’t discriminate against any group. By adopting a people-centric approach, you will have better employee retention and be able to promote fairness while having staff feel valued. Giving autonomy to the team allows for creativity and produces positive results.

5. Be Open to Learning

Everyone is on a continual learning curve, and in your leadership role, it doesn’t stop there. You need to adapt to a changing dynamic in the workplace as you learn from those on your team. Lead by example but change your perspective as new ideas present themselves, even if they don’t come from you.

Often some of the best innovations come from the bottom, and a good manager can shift from “business as usual” when they recognize new opportunities. Be the student and the master.

6. Leadership Development

While it is wise to grow on the job and learn from those you work with, professional advancement often occurs through programs like executive coaching and leadership development. This is professional guidance from those that have stood in your shoes, and their experience and wisdom allow for deeper understanding and better decision-making in your role as a manager.

Leaders can get overwhelmed in their positions, so having an opportunity to get advice and support will enable:

• Leadership growth
• Better decision making
• More accountability

Change is the only constant; your ability to adapt as a manager will make it less challenging. Working with a group of skilled people that support you will propel you into your leadership position.

This is how to be a good leader and manager. As you gain more experience and confidence, your ability to get the best out of people will grow, and you will become a vital asset in any company.