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Are You a Leader or a Manager? This Checklist Will Tell

Michele McGovern
By: Michele McGovern
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About the Author

Michele McGovern writes. A lot. These days, she covers HR, digging deep into company culture, DEI, leadership, management and the everchanging world of work. In the years between getting a BA in journalism from a state school and writing about HR, she wrote about big-city crime for a wire service and small-town life for local newspapers. She’s a mediocre mom, decent wife, wannabe athlete and consummate pursuer of fun - on land, snow and water. Find her on LinkedIn @michele-mcgovern-writer.

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Last Updated: September 14, 2026
1 minute engagement
the difference between managers & leaders
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Managers and leaders are not one and the same. Do you know if you’re a leader or a manager?

Here’s the point: Just because you’re a manager, it doesn’t mean you’re a leader — but it also doesn’t mean you can’t become one.

A Leader or a Manager?

Here’s how to tell exactly where you are right now. 

We all want to be leaders. But we’ve got to work at it.

First, however, you’ve got to find out how far away you are from being a leader — and what it is you need to work on.

This handy chart will tell you where you stand.

It outlines the 17 traits that separate leaders from managers. Check off which side of the chart you’re on to find out if you’re more leader than a manager.

Not sure which side you fall on? Ask a trusted colleague — someone who works closely with yo — to help you honestly assess your behaviors and skills.

This chart can also serve as a handy guide for your company’s department managers, who are leading the employees you helped bring to the company.

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