Leader or Manager? How to Switch Roles Without Losing Your Mind
Image by Kyle Head on Unsplash
LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT ARE BOTH IMPORTANT ROLES. KNOWING WHICH SITUATION CALLS FOR WHICH SKILLSET IS THE KEY.
Ah, the delicate dance between being a leader and a manager. One minute, you’re rallying the troops with a big-picture vision, and the next, you’re deep in the details, making sure Steve submitted that report on time for once. So, how do you know when to put on which hat? Guess what. It’s a blend of art, science, and a dash of luck.
Leader Mode: Captain of Inspiration
When you're in Leader Mode, you’re not just doing the work—you’re the visionary, the morale booster, the one holding the inspirational torch. Leader-you swoops in when your team needs a morale boost, especially during, say, a deadline crisis. Your job? Reassure everyone they’re not doomed, paint a picture of the shiny future, and inspire them to dig deep (and, ideally, skip only some of their lunch).
Manager Mode: Taskmaster Extraordinaire
Then, there’s Manager Mode—the one making sure that all those grand plans actually happen. When you’re here, you’re organizing, keeping tabs on what’s done, and what isn’t, like the unsung hero of checklists and follow-up emails. Picture this: the company’s rolling out a new software. This is not the time for grand speeches. This is “everybody here knows their tasks and no one’s missing a step, right?” territory. Your manager hat is all about execution, coordination, and keeping your team running like a well-oiled machine.
“Mastering the leader-manager shuffle is an art, but once you nail it, you’ll feel like you can handle anything—and your team will feel the difference too.”
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Which Hat When?
Here’s the kicker: effective leaders know when to switch hats (or at least look good while juggling them). Are you there to cheer on the team? Or do you need to buckle down and ensure everyone knows exactly what they’re doing? Half the job is knowing which side you’re playing on. The other half is making it look natural, even if you’re quietly wondering, “Did I pick the right role here?”
Mastering the leader-manager shuffle is an art, but once you nail it, you’ll feel like you can handle anything—and your team will feel the difference too. So, take a beat, switch those hats, and remind yourself that you’re keeping the workplace circus moving one role at a time.
Let’s Talk Leadership Development
Hi! I’m Carrie. I coach mid-to-senior level professionals — especially team leads stepping into larger leadership roles and parents returning after parental leave — who feel less confident transitioning from technical expertise to people management. Rather than “starting from scratch”, we’ll tap into your strengths, build your confidence, and help you lead with clarity and authenticity, both at work and at home.
If you're ready to enhance your leadership skills or help your team grow, let’s connect.