It has been my experience that there is a considerable difference between being a manager and being a leader. Basically, it is the job of the manager to plan, organize and coordinate, whereas a leader’s job is to inspire and motivate.
I can recall a conversation early in my career about management versus leadership with U.S. Marine and long-time trucking journalist Bob Deierlein, who has since become a dear friend. To help me understand the difference between a manager and a leader, Deierlein explained that the Marines consider leadership the sum of those qualities of intellect, human understanding and moral character that allow a person to inspire and control a group of people successfully.