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The One Thing That Separates Managers From True Leaders (and How to Bridge the Gap)

Elevate your impact by mastering this crucial distinction.

Marshall Hargrave
3 min readJan 29, 2025
Photo by Alexis 93 on Unsplash

What comes to mind when you think of a great leader?

Someone who inspires and motivates others?

Someone with a bold vision and the courage to pursue it?

Now, what about a great manager?

Someone who plans, organizes, and coordinates work efficiently?

While both roles are essential, there’s a fundamental difference between managing and leading. It’s the leaders — not just the managers — who drive innovation, engagement, and success.

So what exactly sets leaders apart from managers?

1. Vision vs. Execution

Leaders focus on the big picture — they set the vision, strategy, and direction for their teams and organizations.

Managers, on the other hand, focus on executing that vision — they translate goals into plans, delegate tasks, and ensure smooth day-to-day operations.

Steve Jobs, the legendary co-founder of Apple, was known for his bold, innovative vision. He didn’t just manage product development — he led with…

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Marshall Hargrave
Marshall Hargrave

Written by Marshall Hargrave

Serial entrepreneur. Finance, startups, investing. Catalyst-focused, event-driven. Hip-hop vigilante. On the quest for the best hot chicken.

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