Your team is a well-oiled machine. Deadlines are met. Processes are optimized. You’re doing everything right.
But have you ever paused to ask: are we doing the right things?
Leadership author Warren Bennis captured this tension perfectly: “Managers are people who do things right and leaders are people who do the right thing.” This single idea is the key to understanding the leap from manager to leader. Management is about mastering the current game; leadership is about making sure you’re playing the right one.
The Manager: Master of “Doing Things Right”
As a manager, your focus is on execution and optimization. You ensure your team’s work is consistent, efficient, and hits the target. You follow the map perfectly, making sure every turn is navigated correctly and you stay on schedule. This is a crucial, foundational skill. Without good management, nothing gets done.
The Leader: Champion of “Doing the Right Thing”
As a leader, your job shifts. It’s no longer enough to just follow the map—your job is to draw a new one. You have to step back from the day-to-day grind and question whether the path you’re on is even heading toward the right destination.
Leadership requires you to:
- Clarify the ultimate goal you’re trying to achieve.
- Question if your team’s current work is the most effective way to get there.
- Set a new direction and define the steps to reach it.
Why Making the Leap Is So Hard
This shift is tough because most people get promoted for being excellent managers. You were rewarded for taking direction, following the rules, and getting things done.
But leadership demands a different mindset. It requires the courage to challenge the status quo. It might mean pushing back on your boss (respectfully, of course) or advocating for a new approach when you see your team spinning its wheels on low-impact work. You have to transition from being a great rule-follower to a thoughtful rule-questioner.
A Quick Leadership Litmus Test
Ready to see where you stand? Take a moment and answer these questions honestly:
- What is our “Why”? Can you explain why your team’s work matters to the business in a single, clear sentence?
- What does our future look like? Do you have a clear vision for how your team will be better, smarter, or more impactful in the next 1-2 years?
- Is my team on the same page? Does every single person on your team understand the “why” and the vision for the future?
- Can I define our impact? If you had to hand off part of your team, could you clearly and concisely describe the value it creates?
- Am I leaving a legacy? Is your team measurably better now than it was when you took over? Can you point to specific improvements?
The journey from manager to leader is a conscious shift in perspective—from perfecting the process to defining the purpose. Don’t just be the person who does things right. Be the leader who has the courage to do the right thing.